Online Safety Act — Child Safety Regime
Online Safety Act — Child Safety Regime in United Kingdom: active, effective July 25, 2025. Applies to All Category 1 and Category 2 services (user-to-user and search services) accessible to children in the UK. Age range: Under 18. Platforms must assess and mitigate child safety risks
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Category | International |
| Status | active |
| Effective date | July 25, 2025 |
| Age range | Under 18 |
| Applies to | All Category 1 and Category 2 services (user-to-user and search services) accessible to children in the UK |
Key requirements
- Platforms must assess and mitigate child safety risks
- Duty to prevent children encountering priority harmful content (CSAM, self-harm, suicide, violence)
- Duty to protect children from harmful content more broadly
- Age assurance requirements for services likely to be accessed by children
- Transparency reporting on child safety measures
- Complaints and redress mechanisms for child users
Notes
Protection of Children Codes of Practice came into force July 25, 2025. Ofcom issued formal demands to Facebook, Instagram, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube in early 2026 with an April 30, 2026 deadline. Multiple investigations ongoing; the government has asked Ofcom for an urgent review of enforcement capability alongside the under-16 ban.
Frequently asked
What does Online Safety Act — Child Safety Regime require?
Platforms must assess and mitigate child safety risks Duty to prevent children encountering priority harmful content (CSAM, self-harm, suicide, violence) Duty to protect children from harmful content more broadly Age assurance requirements for services likely to be accessed by children Transparency reporting on child safety measures Complaints and redress mechanisms for child users
Who must comply with Online Safety Act — Child Safety Regime in United Kingdom?
All Category 1 and Category 2 services (user-to-user and search services) accessible to children in the UK
When does Online Safety Act — Child Safety Regime take effect and what is its status?
Effective July 25, 2025. Current status: active. Protection of Children Codes of Practice came into force July 25, 2025. Ofcom issued formal demands to Facebook, Instagram, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube in early 2026 with an April 30, 2026 deadline. Multiple investigations ongoing; the government has asked Ofcom for an urgent review of enforcement capability alongside the under-16 ban.
Related laws
| Law | Jurisdiction | Category | Status | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Media Minimum Age Law | Australia | International | active | December 10, 2025 |
| Online Safety Act — Age Verification Requirements | United Kingdom | International | active | July 25, 2025 |
| Under-16 Social Media Ban (Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 regulations) | United Kingdom | International | pending | Spring 2027 (expected) |
| Digital Services Act — Guidelines on Protecting Minors | European Union | International | active | July 14, 2025 |
| EU Digital Minimum Age & Mandatory Age Assurance Initiative | European Union | International | pending | TBD (Commission proposal expected; Digital Fairness Act 2026) |
| GDPR — Children's Consent Requirements | European Union | International | active | May 25, 2018 |
| Under-15 Social Media Ban (2026 Law) | France | International | blocked | N/A (struck down August 14, 2026) |
| Organic Law for the Protection of Minors in Digital Environments | Spain | International | pending | TBD (parliamentary approval expected autumn 2026) |
Put it into practice
- Generate the policy: COPPA policy generator (generatepolicy.com)
- Buy the policy pack: Privacy Program Bundle (cyberpolicy.shop)
- Build it yourself: 2026 US Privacy Program Workbook (ciso.diy)