Social media platforms must do more to stop their algorithms recommending content that is harmful to children, Ofcom has said.
The regulator has published its draft child safety codes of practice, setting out the new standards it expects tech giants to follow to protect children under the Online Safety Act.
But two mothers who believe their children died as a result of copying dangerous challenges on social media say they feel “belittled” by Ofcom for not listening to grieving parents.
Sky News spoke to the mothers of Archie BattersbeeWho died at age 12 after a “prank or experiment” went wrong in your house and Isaac Kenevan13 years old, who reportedly died after participating in a strangulation challenge on social media.
“They should listen to us as grieving parents,” said Isaac’s mother, Lisa.
“Ofcom has the power, the policing, and we feel like we’ve been slighted, they’ve said certain things but there’s just no action at the moment.”
Archie’s mum Hollie explained: “I’ve seen some parents who are now going through what we’re going through and it’s heartbreaking… in a civilized society this shouldn’t happen.”
When the government passed the Online Safety Act last October, it came with new enforcement powers for Ofcom.
Both Hollie and Lisa campaigned tirelessly for the project to be approved and both are frustrated by the slow pace of the process.
Kenevan said: “This law has been implemented but nothing has really changed, which is frustrating for us, it’s almost like an insult to us because we work so hard.
“It’s too late, our boys are gone… but Ofcom should really step up and hold their feet to the fire… intervene quickly to stop the content being there in the first place.”
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Taming algorithms
Ofcom’s draft code of conduct includes robust age checks, improved complaints procedures and a commitment by social media platforms to take action to control algorithms that recommend content that is harmful to children.
If they fail, they could, in theory, be fined 10% of their global turnover.
Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes told Sky News: “In less than a year we will be able to enforce these codes and what I am saying to the technology industry today is not to wait for that moment.
“In the coming years, we will see this change and we will drive it with every possible tool we have.”
‘Big change for the industry’
Ofcom denies excluding people from its consultations, insisting that victim groups and bereaved families are among the 15,000 children and 7,000 parents it has spoken to.
Dame Melanie insisted: “To the families who have lost children to what happened to them online, we ask that you continue to work with us.
“What we are proposing today is a huge change for the industry. Please work with us and talk to us so we can get it right.”
Fear of children at risk
For Archie and Isaac’s parents, ever-present is the fear of how many children remain at risk.
Kenevan said: “While these laws are being put in place, unfortunately, there are more and more children dying and that is the most frustrating thing, because we are in a club that we don’t want to be in and we don’t want to be part of. I want someone else to join this club.”
To avoid every parent’s worst nightmare, the change can’t happen soon.
This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story
