New Age Checks and Content Controls Coming into Force on UK Websites to Protect Children

Websites and apps will soon be legally required to verify the ages of their users and protect children from harmful and illegal online content, as part of a major move by Ofcom under the UK’s new Online Safety Act.

Under these rules, platforms must filter out damaging material from children’s feeds and recommendation algorithms—aiming to prevent young users from being exposed to harmful content.

Companies have until July to comply with 40 specific measures outlined in Ofcom’s final children’s code of practice. These include robust age verification, content moderation, rapid removal of harmful posts, and support for children affected by distressing material. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to £18million or 10% of global revenue. Ofcom will also have the authority to block non-compliant sites from being accessed in the UK.

Ministers are also exploring the idea of a “social media curfew”, similar to TikTok’s recent decision to limit app access for users under 16 after 10pm. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has indicated strong interest in giving parents tools to control when their children can use such apps.

Kyle described the upcoming changes as a “watershed moment,” stating:

“Children should be able to enjoy the benefits of the online world safely. But in recent years, too many have been exposed to unregulated, toxic environments that can have devastating consequences. That must change.”

A government spokesperson added:

“The Online Safety Act is just the beginning. We’re committed to strengthening these protections further if necessary to keep children—and the wider public—safe.”

What’s Included in the New Rules?

From July, any company operating in the UK will need to implement strict measures, including:

  • Stronger age checks to confirm users are over 18.

  • Algorithm adjustments to prevent exposure to harmful content.

  • Fast response systems to remove inappropriate material.

  • Tools for children to block content and unwanted connections.

  • Support mechanisms for users exposed to distressing material.

Verifying Age: What Will That Look Like?

Basic “tick-the-box” age confirmations won’t always be enough. Platforms that host adult content or material related to self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders must adopt robust verification methods. These could include:

  • Facial age estimation software

  • ID document matching

  • Credit card checks

Ofcom has made it clear that any verification method must be “highly effective” at accurately determining a user’s age.

Will the Rules Work?

Opinions are divided. Ofcom’s child protection policy director, Almudena Lara, called the changes “transformational,” noting that no platform currently meets the upcoming standards.

However, cybersecurity experts have voiced concerns citing that without strong enforcement, companies might exploit loopholes or do the bare minimum to comply.

Consumer privacy advocates also point out potential risks cautioning that mandatory identity verification could compromise user privacy and drive children toward unsafe, unregulated platforms.

How Does the UK’s Safety Law Compare Globally?

Other countries have already taken tough steps:

  • Australia has banned under-16s from using major social media platforms.

  • China has prohibited children from playing online games since 2019.

  • France requires parental consent for under-15s to sign up for social media.

  • Germany mandates parental consent for 13–16-year-olds to use such platforms.

What does this mean for web designers and website programmers?

For people who build websites—especially platforms with user-generated content or any potential for under-18 users—these new laws have major implications. Here’s what it means in practice:

1. Mandatory Age Verification

  • No more simple checkboxes: Developers will need to integrate robust age verification systems—like facial age estimation, ID checks, or third-party verification services.

  • This adds complexity, cost, and responsibility for ensuring accurate results while protecting user privacy.

2. Content Filtering and Moderation

  • Algorithms and recommendation systems must be adapted to detect and filter harmful content for underage users.

  • This could mean using AI moderation tools, tagging content more rigorously, or creating age-specific content feeds.

3. User Controls and Reporting Tools

  • Websites must give children easy tools to block content, report abuse, and control who can contact them.

  • You’ll need to design clear, child-friendly UX that empowers young users to stay safe.

4. Compliance with Ofcom’s 40 Safety Measures

  • You’ll need to audit your site and possibly change your tech stack or policies to meet these safety standards by July.

  • If you run a platform that hosts user content (comments, videos, images), expect to overhaul community guidelines, moderation workflows, and backend systems.

5. Legal and Financial Risks

  • Non-compliance can lead to fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue.

  • You may also risk being blocked in the UK altogether.

6. Privacy vs. Safety

  • Balancing data protection laws (like GDPR) with these new safety rules will be tricky. Developers need to ensure that any personal data used for age verification is handled securely and legally.

In short, if you build or manage websites accessed by young people, you’ll need to treat online safety as a top-tier priority—technically, legally, and ethically.