The UK’s chief media regulator, Melanie Dawes, highlighted age verification checks as a major milestone in enhancing child safety online. Set to be enacted by July 25, these checks will require online platforms to effectively screen under-18s from accessing harmful material like pornography and content related to self-harm. Campaigners, including bereaved parents, urge stronger regulations against technology companies, fearing that the new rules will not sufficiently prevent children's access to harmful content. The regulations are a result of the Online Safety Act, which faced challenges during its passage through Parliament.
Melanie Dawes emphasized the importance of upcoming age verification checks, stating, "It is a really big moment, because finally, the laws are coming into force. What happens at the end of this month is that we see the wider protections for children come online."
The new rules, effective from July 25, will compel online platforms to implement effective age checks to restrict access to harmful content including pornography and self-harm material.
Campaigners, including bereaved parents, express concern that despite these checks, young people may still access harmful material, emphasizing the need for tougher action against technology companies.
Ian Russell criticized the Online Safety Act as 'timid' and raised alarms over the removal of certain sections of the bill that aimed to ban legally but harmful content.
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