Social algorithms must change to protect children – Ofcom

Social media sites will have to reformulate their algorithms so harmful content is not recommended to children, the UK media regulator says.

Ofcom says failure to comply with its draft Children’s Safety Codes of Practice could see sites banned for those under the age of 18.

But the proposals have been criticised as “insufficient” by the parents of teenagers Molly Russell and Brianna Ghey, whose deaths involved exposure to harmful online material.

In a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak they say they have been “disappointed” by Ofcom’s “lack of ambition”.

Most of the tech companies contacted by the BBC have declined to respond to the draft measures.

It is Ofcom’s job to enforce new, stricter rules following the introduction of the Online Safety Act – these codes set out what tech firms must do to comply with that law.

The boss of Ofcom, Dame Melanie Dawes, gave more details of what the body calls a “step change” in regulation in a BBC interview, also involving Mr Russell and Ms Ghey, who now campaign on online safety.