Ofcom Says TikTok and YouTube Are Still Not Safe Enough for Children

Ofcom has warned that TikTok and YouTube are still failing to provide a sufficiently safe environment for children online.

The regulator raised concerns about the type of content young users can encounter, including harmful material, addictive recommendation systems and limited age verification protections. Ofcom stated that while platforms have introduced new safety features in recent years, more action is needed to properly safeguard children.

The warning comes amid growing pressure on major technology companies to strengthen moderation policies and improve protections for younger audiences. Governments and regulators across several countries have increased scrutiny of social media platforms over concerns linked to mental health, privacy and online exposure to inappropriate content.

Ofcom is expected to continue monitoring how platforms respond to new online safety rules introduced in the United Kingdom. Companies that fail to meet requirements could face investigations or financial penalties under evolving digital safety regulations.

TikTok and YouTube have both stated previously that they invest heavily in moderation technology and parental control tools. However, critics argue that recommendation algorithms can still expose younger users to harmful trends or excessive screen time.

Industry analysts say the debate reflects a broader challenge facing social media companies. Platforms are under pressure to balance user engagement with stronger protections, particularly as younger audiences make up a large portion of their user base.

The issue is likely to remain central to future discussions around online safety and digital regulation as governments continue pushing for tighter oversight of technology platforms.

Author: Abel Vazquez Sanchez