UK implements online verifications to restrict minors from accessing potentially harmful material
Published on July 28, 2025
The UK's Online Safety Act 2023, enforced by Ofcom since July 25, 2025, has brought significant changes to the digital landscape. The new legislation requires social media apps and other online platforms to implement robust age verification systems to protect children from accessing harmful content, including pornography, suicide-related material, self-harm, violent, or hateful content.
The previous self-declaration method has been replaced with more reliable and stringent checks. Approved methods include facial age estimation through third-party services, email-based verification linked to household utility bills, bank or mobile provider checks confirming adult status, and official ID verification similar to supermarket ID checks.
These measures apply broadly to any platform with content sharing or user interactions, including major social media apps like Facebook and messaging apps like Telegram. Platforms must prevent children under 18 from seeing harmful or adult content through these verifications. Failure to comply can result in regulatory sanctions.
Concerns exist regarding privacy, as some age verification data (ID scans, facial images) are handled by private companies, potentially outside the UK or EU. However, advertising the use of VPNs to bypass checks is to be penalized.
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[1] Online Safety Bill: Government response to consultation, UK Government, July 2023. [2] Online Safety Bill: Explanatory Notes, UK Government, July 2023. [3] Online Safety Bill: Code of Practice on Online Safety, Ofcom, July 2025. [4] Online Safety Bill: Compliance and Enforcement, Ofcom, July 2025.
- The measures discussed in the Online Safety Act 2023, currently implemented by Ofcom, are not limited to social media alone, as they also apply to news, entertainment, and other online platforms that involve user interactions or content sharing.
- With the expansion of digital media and technology, industry professionals have access to a mobile app designed to deliver the latest insights and analysis on social media, social media law, and online safety, particularly focusing on protecting children from harmful content.
- Amidst the concerns about privacy with the new verification processes, it's important to note that advertising the use of VPNs to bypass checks is considered a violation of the law, leading to regulatory sanctions.
