The UK’s Online Safety Act, now in force from 25 July 2025, introduces a sweeping framework aiming to shield children from illegal content and age‑inappropriate material. Platforms must conduct risk assessments, implement robust age verification for pornography and self-harm content, and swiftly remove illegal material under Ofcom’s codes of practice. Proponents argue these measures are essential to curb youth exposure to harmful online content.
Balancing Safety with Rights
We urgently need robust safeguards to preserve freedom of expression:
Independent oversight or judicial review over ministerial directions to Ofcom, to prevent arbitrary interference in democratic content moderation.
Clearer standards to distinguish illegal content from “harmful but lawful content” and avoid over broad removal mandates.
Strong protection for encryption, ensuring child safety measures do not compromise privacy.
Proportionality in enforcement: Ofcom penalties should not create risk averse platform behaviour that suppresses legitimate free speech.
The UK also has legislation such as the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, which reinforces commitments to free expression in academic settings, a clear legal counterpoint to unchecked online censorship powers.
UK’s Online Safety Act [final]
The Promise: Protecting Children Online
The UK’s Online Safety Act, now in force from 25 July 2025, introduces a sweeping framework aiming to shield children from illegal content and age‑inappropriate material. Platforms must conduct risk assessments, implement robust age verification for pornography and self-harm content, and swiftly remove illegal material under Ofcom’s codes of practice. Proponents argue these measures are essential to curb youth exposure to harmful online content.
Balancing Safety with Rights
We urgently need robust safeguards to preserve freedom of expression:
Independent oversight or judicial review over ministerial directions to Ofcom, to prevent arbitrary interference in democratic content moderation.
Clearer standards to distinguish illegal content from “harmful but lawful content” and avoid over broad removal mandates.
Strong protection for encryption, ensuring child safety measures do not compromise privacy.
Proportionality in enforcement: Ofcom penalties should not create risk averse platform behaviour that suppresses legitimate free speech.
The UK also has legislation such as the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, which reinforces commitments to free expression in academic settings, a clear legal counterpoint to unchecked online censorship powers.
Protect Kids - Preserve Rights - Promote Thought