Overview

• The UK government is evaluating evidence for implementing social media curfews for under-16s, inspired by TikTok's 10pm limit and parental controls.
• Ofcom's newly published Children’s Codes under the Online Safety Act mandate robust age verification and algorithm safeguards to protect minors online.
• Digital Secretary Peter Kyle has emphasized the use of Ofcom's enforcement powers, including fines of up to 10% of global turnover and potential jail terms for non-compliance by tech firms.
• The Internet Watch Foundation has launched Image Intercept, a free tool for smaller platforms to detect and block child sexual abuse imagery, addressing a record 291,273 reports in 2024.
• The UK government has pledged that its Online Safety Act will remain non-negotiable in any future trade agreements with the United States.