Online Safety Act: A Turning Point for Safeguarding Children in the Digital World

In what has been described as a “game-changing” move, Ofcom has introduced a comprehensive set of regulations aimed at protecting children online. Known as the *Protection of Children Codes and Guidance*, these new measures are part of the Online Safety Act and represent a fundamental shift in how digital platforms operating in the UK must manage child safety.

For organisations and professionals working in safeguarding and education, these developments are not just relevant—they’re transformational. At SLC Training, we welcome this advancement while also recognising the work still required to align policy, technology, and practice in protecting children both offline and online.

What the New Codes Require

The rules apply to any platform likely to be accessed by children in the UK and include over 40 specific measures. These span age verification, algorithm control, and content moderation, among others. Under the new codes, tech companies must:

• Implement robust and effective age-checking systems to prevent children from accessing adult or harmful content
• Ensure that recommendation algorithms do not promote or amplify dangerous content to underage users
• Use proactive and reactive moderation systems to detect and remove harmful material quickly
• Complete risk assessments identifying how children use their platforms and what risks they may face

Failure to comply could result in severe penalties—up to £18 million or 10% of a company’s global turnover, whichever is greater.

A Long-Overdue Reset

Ofcom CEO Dame Melanie Dawes described this as a “reset” for online childhood. In practical terms, this marks the end of the laissez-faire era of social media access and the beginning of a regulatory framework that puts children’s wellbeing ahead of platform growth metrics.

Children today are digital natives, with research showing that those aged 8 to 17 spend between two and five hours online per day. The risks are significant: from exposure to pornography, violence, hate speech, and misogyny, to cyberbullying, sextortion, and dangerous online challenges. Even more insidious is the way algorithms can lead young users down content rabbit holes related to self-harm, eating disorders, and suicide.

These risks are not hypothetical—they are daily realities for young people navigating digital environments without the safeguards we would demand in the physical world.

Reframing Safeguarding for the Digital Age

At SLC Training, we believe that safeguarding is not confined to physical spaces such as schools, care homes, or family environments. The digital world is now a central part of children's lives and must be treated as such in policy, training, and practice. As safeguarding professionals, our responsibilities extend to equipping children and the adults who support them with the tools to stay safe online.

This includes understanding the nature of online harm, recognising when children are being exploited or manipulated through digital platforms, and challenging outdated assumptions that children’s online lives are separate from their wellbeing. As Ofcom begins enforcement in July 2025, now is the time for safeguarding teams to get ahead—review internal policies, update training, and align safeguarding strategy with this new regulatory framework.

Beyond Compliance: Building a Culture of Online Protection

Some commentators, including safety advocates and experts like Lina Ghazal, have called for the end of “tick-box” culture in online safety. Under the new codes, superficial measures will no longer suffice. Platforms with 18+ features will need to demonstrate how they restrict access for minors, and content moderation will be under closer scrutiny than ever before. Advanced AI tools and content filters must work in concert with human oversight to respond to emerging threats in real time.

Critics such as Daisy Greenwell of *Smartphone Free Childhood* point out that regulation is still lagging behind the pace of technological development. While the Children’s Code is a significant step forward, children continue to spend over 35 hours per week online—often on platforms that have not been subjected to the same safety testing required for toys, playgrounds, or food products.

Looking Ahead: What Organisations Must Do Now

As we approach the enforcement deadline, all organisations working with or around children must take proactive steps. This includes:

• Auditing existing safeguarding and digital safety policies to ensure compliance with the Online Safety Act
• Delivering training that helps staff recognise digital risks and respond effectively
• Engaging with children and families to raise awareness of safe online practices
• Partnering with tech providers or safeguarding consultants to implement or evaluate content moderation tools

At SLC Training, our safeguarding programmes are constantly evolving to reflect new risks, regulations, and realities. We work with schools, care providers, and public sector organisations to help integrate digital safety into a wider culture of safeguarding that is proactive, practical, and people-focused.

Conclusion: A Call to Act

Ofcom’s new codes represent more than legal compliance—they are a call to transform how we view online childhood. The responsibility no longer falls only on parents or tech companies; it is a shared societal duty that includes educators, carers, policy-makers, and safeguarding professionals.

Let’s ensure that the online world becomes a safer, more supportive space for every child. At SLC Training, we are ready to help your organisation meet this moment with clarity, confidence, and care.

Explore our safeguarding and digital safety training courses today to prepare your team for the next chapter in online child protection.