Platforms like TikTok seemed to be aimed towards the younger generation, but the question is, is it safe? According to Ofcom, it seems that they believe platforms like TikTok and YouTube are simply not safe for kids.
TikTok, YouTube not safe for kids
According to the findings of the media regulator, it appears that the content feeds from platforms such as TikTok and YouTube aren’t particularly safe for kids. Ofcom said, “Notably, TikTok and YouTube failed to commit to any significant changes to reduce harmful content being served to children, maintaining their feeds are already safe for children. Our wealth of evidence, published today, suggests they are still not safe enough.”
However, TikTok and YouTube seem to disagree. Both platforms point at the various safety features they have implemented in their apps. This includes a TikTok safety feature that disables direct messaging for those under 16. YouTube’s short-form content also has a timer that sets time limits for younger users.
Both companies have also responded with statements of their own. YouTube said that the platform “provides industry-leading, age-appropriate, high quality experiences for young viewers, working with child safety experts to deliver protections that support millions of families across the UK. We welcome today’s news that others across the industry will soon adopt similar features.”
Ofcom’s findings aren’t new
That being said, we can’t say we’re surprised with Ofcom’s findings. This is because despite YouTube’s attempts at creating kid-friendly content, not everyone is necessarily complying. In the past, several YouTube channels designed for kids were discovered uploading obscene content.
While YouTube and TikTok do have measures in place to take down this sort of content, sometimes it might be too late. According to social media consultant and analyst Matt Navarra, “The old debate was, ‘did the platform remove harmful content quickly enough?’ – the new one has shifted towards, ‘why did the platform show it to a child in the first place?’”
To that end, we’re starting to see how more countries are working to ban social media for younger users. Australia was notably the first. The country’s government announced last year it would ban social media for users under the age of 16. Whether or not this is effective remains to be seen.
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