London: Britain’s media regulator, Ofcom, has launched an investigation into TikTok to determine whether the platform has done enough to protect children from harmful online content. The probe will examine whether TikTok’s UK operations have failed, or continue to fail, in meeting child safety requirements under the country’s Online Safety Act.
The investigation comes a month after the UK government introduced a blanket ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, alongside restrictions on gaming and live-streaming platforms. The measures form part of broader efforts to strengthen online protections for young users and reduce their exposure to harmful digital content.
Ofcom said it will assess whether TikTok has effective measures to identify when a user is a child and whether the platform has adequate systems to prevent children from accessing inappropriate or harmful material. The regulator had previously warned in May that TikTok had not clearly demonstrated meaningful steps to safeguard children using its platform.
The regulator stressed that opening an investigation does not mean it has concluded that TikTok has breached its legal duties. Instead, the inquiry will gather evidence to determine whether the company complies with its obligations under UK online safety regulations.
TikTok rejected suggestions that it had failed to protect young users. In a statement, the company said it enforces age-appropriate experiences through platform rules developed with expert guidance and advanced age-verification technologies. It also said it is confident it meets the requirements of the Online Safety Act and will cooperate fully with Ofcom during the investigation.
The outcome of the inquiry could have significant implications for TikTok’s operations in the UK and may influence how online platforms strengthen child safety measures in the future. The investigation is part of Ofcom’s wider efforts to ensure technology companies provide safer digital environments for children and young people.
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