Overview

• Ofcom’s final children’s safety codes, set to be enforced in summer 2025, mandate age verification, safe search functions, and penalties up to £18 million for non-compliance.
• Sarah Ferguson argues these measures fail to adequately shield teenagers from harmful content and calls for treating tech companies like publishers to ensure accountability.
• The Duchess highlights the link between excessive social media use and rising mental health issues among teens, including stress, sleep problems, and self-harm.
• She advocates for banning anonymous hate-posting, requiring users to post under their real names to combat online abuse and cyberbullying.
• Ferguson emphasizes the importance of youth involvement in shaping online safety policies, citing her Youth Impact Council as a platform for amplifying young voices.