"some platforms will have to use more behavioural data"
Ofcom has criticised TikTok and YouTube, warning their content feeds are still “not safe enough” for children despite growing pressure on tech companies to strengthen online protections.
The regulator said both platforms failed to commit to “significant changes” after Ofcom demanded tougher safeguards for young users. The criticism formed part of a new report examining how major social media and video-sharing services responded to concerns around children’s safety online.
Ofcom said: “Notably, TikTok and YouTube failed to commit to any significant changes to reduce harmful content being served to children, maintaining their feeds are already safe for children.
“Our wealth of evidence, published today, suggests they are still not safe enough.”
The regulator’s findings come as the UK government continues consulting on whether to introduce a ban on social media use for under-16s.
The consultation closes on May 26, with ministers expected to outline next steps later this summer.
In response to the report, YouTube said it worked with child safety experts to provide “industry-leading, age-appropriate” experiences for children.
TikTok said it was “very disappointing” that Ofcom had not recognised the platform’s existing safety features.
Both companies pointed to measures already in place.
TikTok highlighted its restriction on direct messaging for under-16s, while YouTube referenced its Shorts timer feature, which allows parents to limit scrolling time.
Ofcom Chief Executive Melanie Dawes said the regulator remained “deeply concerned” that platforms were failing to stop underage children accessing their services.
Research published alongside the report found 84% of children aged between eight and 12 were using at least one major platform with a minimum age requirement of 13.
Online safety researcher Victoria Baines said the findings were “unsurprising”, particularly given similar struggles in Australia following its own social media ban for under-16s.
She said: “It may be that some platforms will have to use more behavioural data – what a user is watching, engaging with, and chatting about – to determine whether they really are above the minimum age.”
While TikTok and YouTube faced criticism, Ofcom praised stronger commitments made by Snap, Roblox and Meta to reduce grooming risks and improve child safety.
Ofcom said Snap, which owns Snapchat, had agreed to block adult strangers from contacting children by default in the UK, stop encouraging children to add unknown users, and introduce “highly effective” age checks this summer.
A Snapchat spokesperson said the company would introduce the measures while “preserving privacy protections and the ability for our community to stay connected with their real friends and family”.
The report also said Roblox would allow parents to switch off direct chat entirely for under-16s.
Meta plans to hide teenage users’ Instagram connection lists by default and develop AI tools capable of detecting potentially sexualised conversations in direct messages.
Molly Rose Foundation chief executive Andy Burrows welcomed the report and accused major tech firms of being “complacent and evasive when it comes to protecting children from preventable harm”.
Ofcom warned it would take action if companies failed to implement the promised measures quickly and effectively.
A government spokesperson said Ofcom had its “full backing” to ensure firms prevented and removed harmful material from their platforms.
They said:
“Too many children are still being exposed to harm online and that cannot continue.”
“That’s why we’re considering the full range of options – from age limits and app curfews to an outright ban – and will set out next steps by the summer.”
On Thursday, the Education Committee published its response to the consultation and backed a social media ban for under-16s.
The committee also called for urgent restrictions on platform features it said were deliberately designed to encourage excessive screen use among under-18s.
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