Child safety online Archives | Page 16 of 86

European Commission allocates €63.2 million to support AI innovation in health and online safety

The European Commission has announced €63.2 million in funding to support AI innovation, focusing on health, online safety and broader technological development. The initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of AI solutions across key sectors.

According to the Commission, the funding will support projects that improve healthcare systems and strengthen protections in digital environments. It is part of ongoing efforts to expand AI capabilities and adoption.

The programme also seeks to encourage collaboration between research institutions, businesses and public bodies. This approach is intended to foster innovation while addressing societal challenges linked to AI use.

The Commission states that the investment will contribute to strengthening Europe’s digital capacity and advancing AI development across the European Union.

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Ofcom updates enforcement programme on CSAM risks in file-sharing services

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) has updated its enforcement programme launched on 17 March 2025 to assess measures taken by file-sharing and file-storage services to prevent risks to UK users from image-based child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The update follows its previous report in February 2026.

Ofcom said it identified concerns after two services under investigation redirected users to another file-sharing platform, Pixeldrain. Following further assessment, the regulator found that the provider had not initially taken appropriate measures to manage risks linked to CSAM storage and dissemination.

Following engagement with Ofcom, the provider of Pixeldrain updated its Illegal Content Risk Assessment and reassessed the level of risk on its service. The company also implemented perceptual hash matching to reduce the risk of known CSAM being shared. Ofcom stated that, due to these improvements and constructive engagement, no further action will be taken at this stage.

Ofcom’s investigation into Im.ge remains ongoing, focusing on compliance with risk assessment and user protection duties under the Online Safety Act 2023. Separately, the regulator has closed its investigation into Yolobit after the service became unavailable to UK users, reducing exposure risks.

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IWF and Utropolis partnership strengthens AI-driven child online safety

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) has announced a new partnership with Utropolis, marking a step forward in efforts to strengthen online child protection. The collaboration brings together established detection tools and emerging AI-driven safeguarding technologies.

Utropolis specialises in cloud-based filtering systems designed to identify risks in real time, particularly in school environments.

By integrating IWF datasets, including verified lists of harmful content, the platform aims to improve prevention and detection capabilities while helping educators maintain safer digital spaces.

The initiative reflects a broader trend towards combining AI with established regulatory and safeguarding frameworks. As harmful material continues to spread online, organisations are increasingly focusing on scalable, automated solutions that can adapt to evolving threats.

The partnership also aligns with UK online safety standards in education, reinforcing compliance requirements and strengthening institutional responses.

As digital environments continue to expand, collaborations of this kind highlight the growing role of AI in supporting child protection strategies.

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Australia’s OAIC updates the Children’s Online Privacy Code page during public consultation

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) updated its Children’s Online Privacy Code page, as the regulator continues consultation on a draft code that will set privacy rules for online services likely to be accessed by children.

The page says the Code is being developed under the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 and will operate as an APP Code under the Privacy Act 1988.

According to the OAIC, the Code will apply to online services that fall within the categories of social media services, relevant electronic services, and designated internet services under the Online Safety Act 2021, where those services are likely to be accessed by children or primarily concern children’s activities. The regulator says the Code is intended to put children at the centre of privacy protections in Australia while also lifting privacy practices more broadly.

The updated page highlights the current public consultation on the exposure draft of the Children’s Online Privacy Code. It also refers users to separate consultation pathways for children, young people, parents and carers, and for industry, civil society, academia, and other interested parties.

The OAIC also says it has created a dedicated Privacy for Kids hub to support participation in the consultation. According to the page, the hub includes workbooks and child-friendly guides to help explain the draft Code to children, young people, and parents and carers.

In addition, the updated page invites stakeholders to register for an OAIC webinar on the Children’s Online Privacy Code public consultation. The OAIC says the final Code must be finalised and registered by 10 December 2026.

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EU targets platforms over child safety and addictive design practices

The European Commission has intensified enforcement under the Digital Services Act (DSA), targeting online platforms for child safety, addictive design features, and insufficient age-verification systems.

Executive Vice-President Virkkunen said the measures are intended to ensure platforms are held accountable when services expose minors to harmful or restricted content.

Actions have been taken against multiple major platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Shein, over concerns related to design practices such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and highly personalised recommendation systems.

Additional enforcement has also been launched against pornographic platforms for failing to implement adequate age verification tools.

Alongside enforcement, the EU has developed a digital age verification app designed to give users control over personal data through privacy-preserving technology based on zero-knowledge proofs.

The system is already technically ready and is being tested across several member states, either as a standalone tool or integrated into national digital wallets.

The Commission is also preparing an EU-wide coordination mechanism to standardise accreditation of national solutions and avoid fragmentation across member states. The initiative aims to establish a unified age-verification framework that upholds privacy standards and supports wider adoption across digital services.

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OpenAI launches child safety framework to address AI risks

A new framework has been introduced by OpenAI to address risks of AI-enabled child abuse and strengthen protection mechanisms across digital systems.

An initiative that reflects growing concern over how emerging technologies can both enable and prevent harm.

The blueprint focuses on modernising legal frameworks to address AI-generated harmful content, improving reporting and coordination among service providers, and embedding safety measures directly into AI systems.

These measures aim to enhance early detection and prevent misuse at scale.

Developed in collaboration with organisations such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Attorney General Alliance, the framework promotes shared standards across industry and public authorities.

It emphasises coordinated responses and stronger accountability mechanisms.

An approach that combines technical safeguards, human oversight, and legal enforcement, aiming to improve response speed and reduce risks before harm occurs.

Ultimately, the initiative highlights the need for continuous adaptation as AI capabilities evolve and reshape online safety challenges.

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Greece moves to restrict youth social media access with new digital age rules

New measures to protect minors online have been announced by Greece, introducing a national ‘digital age of majority’, restricting access to social media for users under 15.

The policy forms part of a broader strategy addressing child safety and digital overuse, with implementation scheduled for January 2027.

An initiative that places primary responsibility on platforms, requiring robust age-verification systems and periodic re-verification of existing accounts. Authorities will oversee compliance under the EU’s Digital Services Act framework, with penalties including fines and operational restrictions for violations.

The policy builds on earlier tools such as KidsWallet, an age-verification mechanism already deployed nationally.

Authorities in Greece argue that reliance on parental control alone is insufficient, citing increasing evidence linking excessive platform use to mental health risks, including anxiety, reduced sleep, and social isolation.

A proposal that aligns with wider European discussions on youth protection, including efforts to establish a unified digital age threshold across member states.

Greece has also called for stronger EU-wide enforcement mechanisms, positioning the measure as part of a coordinated approach to safeguarding minors in digital environments.

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UK data reveals alarming growth in online child abuse cases

A sharp increase in online child abuse cases has been reported by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and NSPCC’s Childline, based on data from the Report Remove service.

Nearly 1,900 UK children reported sexual imagery concerns in 2025, a 66 percent rise, with more than 1,100 confirmed cases involving abuse material. Weekly reports show a consistent pattern of coercion, threats, and financial pressure targeting minors.

The scale of the increase reflects structural changes in how abuse operates online. Offenders use fake identities and contact many victims simultaneously, turning exploitation into a repeatable activity.

Financial incentives reinforce the pattern, while teenage boys aged 14 to 17 represent the majority of cases, indicating targeted and adaptive behaviour by perpetrators.

Weaknesses in digital environments further sustain such growth. Platforms prioritise speed and interaction instead of prevention, while anonymity and cross-border activity reduce enforcement effectiveness.

Psychological pressure remains central, with threats designed to isolate victims and limit reporting, meaning recorded cases likely underestimate the real scale.

The IWF‘s findings highlight a policy gap between technological expansion and child safety protections in the UK.

While services like Report Remove improve response and mitigation, they do not address underlying risks. Without stronger platform accountability and preventive regulation, online child abuse is likely to continue expanding.

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ICO launches online privacy campaign for parents

New research published by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) found that 24% of primary school-aged children have shared their real name or address online, while 21% of parents and carers have never spoken to them about online privacy. It also found that 22% of children have shared personal information, such as health details, with AI tools.

Research published by the ICO also found that 71% of parents worry that information their child shares today could affect their future. Findings also show that 46% do not feel confident protecting their children’s privacy online, 44% say they try but are not sure they are doing enough, and 42% say they probably do not spend enough time checking privacy settings.

Online privacy is one of the least-discussed online safety topics among parents, according to the ICO. Its research found that 38% discuss it less than once a month, while 90% have discussed screen time in the past month.

Emily Keaney, Deputy Commissioner at the ICO, said: ‘The internet offers amazing opportunities for children – but every click can leave a hidden data trail and these digital footprints can last forever.’ She added: ‘We wouldn’t expect our children to share their birthdays or address with a stranger in a shop, because we’d explain stranger danger to them from a very young age, but kids these days are growing up online.’

Keaney said: ‘We know that where children’s details – like their name, interests and pictures – aren’t protected, the potential risks are serious: unwanted contact from strangers, grooming and radicalisation.’ She said children’s online privacy ‘requires a whole society approach’ and added: ‘We have taken and will continue to take action to hold tech companies accountable for their role.’

Keaney also said: ‘There’s a role for parents too but the problem is that many families have never been shown how to talk to their children about online privacy.’ She added: ‘This is where the ICO comes in. We want parents to feel empowered and children to feel digitally confident, because only then will they be able to start to trust in how their data is used and be part of the whole society solution that is needed for online safety.’

The ICO campaign website outlines three steps for parents: talk regularly with children about online privacy, carefully choose what personal information to share, and check privacy settings on new devices and apps.

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National Crime Agency to receive CSEA reports under UK Online Safety Act rules

UK regulations under the Online Safety Act 2023 are now in force, requiring certain regulated user-to-user services to register with the National Crime Agency and report detected and unreported child sexual exploitation and abuse content.

Under the Online Safety (CSEA Content Reporting by Regulated User-to-User Service Providers) Regulations 2026, providers subject to the reporting duty, and any third-party providers acting on their behalf, must register with the National Crime Agency through an online portal. They must also appoint an organisation administrator as a point of contact.

Reports submitted to the National Crime Agency must contain specified information, including details about the content, the time it was uploaded, relevant IP addresses, and user account data. The regulations also require providers to classify reports into three priority levels and submit them within the corresponding timeframes.

Record-keeping duties are also set out in the regulations. Providers must retain the report reference number for five years and keep the associated content and user data for one year from the reporting date.

The rules form part of the reporting framework under the Online Safety Act 2023 for child sexual exploitation and abuse content on regulated user-to-user services in the UK. Non-compliance may result in a penalty of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18 million, whichever is greater.

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