Social media: New guidance published by Ofcom to protect children online

There are plans to change the way you experience the world online in the UK.

Ofcom, a regulator overseeing UK TV, radio and internet has published a set of new guidelines for social media companies to follow.

It comes after the Online Safety Act was introduced, making online and social media companies legally responsible for keeping children and young people safe online.

The new guidelines would require companies to have stricter age-checking measures and to change the algorithm - that ranks and prioritises content - so children are less likely to see harmful things on social media.

What is an algorithm?

One of the main requirements set out in Ofcom's guidelines are around algorithms.

An algorithm is a set of rules and data that is used to decide what is shown to people on their social media feeds, aiming to show them something they'd enjoy.

But this can be harmful because it might amplify extreme views or content that can affect a user's self esteem and mental health.

Ofcom says tech firms will need to change their algorithms to filter out this harmful content from children's feeds.

That's why they're also proposing companies apply stricter age-checks and a 'safe search' function.

The new measures are due to be put into place during 2025.

Companies have been warned that if they break the rules, the minimum age someone is allowed to use a social media platform could be raised to 18.

In statements, Snapchat and Meta - which operates Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp and Facebook, said they had extra protections for under-18s, and offered parental tools to control what children can see on their platforms.

Other firms have not responded to a BBC request for comment.

The government says that the measures announced by Ofcom "will bring in a fundamental change in how children in the UK experience the online world."

The Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said social media companies need to make immediate changes: "Do not wait for enforcement and hefty fines - step up to meet your responsibilities and act now," she said.

Ofcom boss Dame Melanie Dawes said: "We want children to enjoy life online but, for too long, their experiences have been blighted by seriously harmful content which they can't avoid or control."

However some people have complained that say the new rules don't go far enough and need to be stricter.

Ofcom is seeking responses to its set of rules until 17 July, after which it says it expects to publish final versions of them within a year.