Children's Commissioner says UK's Online Safety Act has failed to curb harmful content

At a hearing of the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee, Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children's Commissioner, argued that the Online Safety Act has not altered how minors encounter harmful content online. She highlighted that the legislation concentrates on removing dangerous posts instead of tackling design features that encourage excessive use. De Souza pointed to the United States, where legal pressure has forced Meta to propose limits on teen usage, as a contrast.

She announced plans to use her statutory authority to compel Ofcom to release the safety risk assessments submitted by tech firms, accusing the regulator of stonewalling. De Souza called for more robust enforcement powers, larger fines, and proactive measures to anticipate emerging harms such as AI-driven nudification apps.