Ofcom is rolling out new measures to make the online world a safer place for children under its powers outlined in the Online Safety Act.

More than 40 practical measures for tech firms will be introduced, and will apply to sites and apps used by UK children in areas such as social media, search, and gaming.

The measures include steps to prevent minors from encountering some of the most harmful content available online – relating to suicide, self harm, eating disorders, and pornography.

Online services will also be called to act on protecting children from misogynistic, violent, hateful or abusive material, as well as online bullying and dangerous fad challenges.

“These changes are a reset for children online,” Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom chief executive, said.

“They will mean safer social media feeds with less harmful and dangerous content, protections from being contacted by strangers and effective age checks on adult content.

“Ofcom has been tasked with bringing about a safer generation of children online, and if companies fail to act they will face enforcement.”

In the design of the new codes of practices, Ofcom researchers heard from over 27,000 children and 13,000 parents, as well as consulting industry, civil society, charities, and child safety experts.

Ofcom describes the codes as taking a ‘safety-first’ approach in how tech firms design and operate their services.

The new rules include regulations on personalised recommendations to ensure harmful material is filtered out of children’s algorithms, and ensuring that the ‘riskiest’ services ensure they employ highly effective age assurance methods.

Further, Ofcom wants firms to ensure they have the right processes in place to take fast action whenever they become aware of harmful content on their platform.

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Firms will also be tasked with giving children more choice in their online experience, ranging from removing content they don’t like from their newsfeeds or declining or accepting invitations to chat, to muting or blocking comments and accounts. This also includes providing children with supportive information if they search for or have encountered harmful content.

Reporting of harmful content must be streamlined and straightforward so children can easily access them. The same should go for terms of service so children understand anything they sign up to online.

To support a stronger sense of governance, Ofcom will require all firms to have a named person accountable for children’s safety, as well as ensuring a senior body annually reviews their platform’s risk to children.

Ofcom has given firms until 24 July 2025 to finalise and record their risk assessment towards children, and from 25 July, they should apply the safety measures set out in the new Codes to mitigate any identified risks.

Companies that fail to comply with the new rules may face fines, or even a court order which could block a site or app from being available in the UK.