Technology secretary Peter Kyle has set out priorities for the online safety regulator, Ofcom, ahead of the Online Safety Act coming into force next year.
The Statement of Strategic Priorities (SSP) includes requests that safety is baked into platforms from the start so more harm is caught before it occurs, more transparency from technology companies on what harms are occurring on their platforms, and creation of a digital world that is inclusive and resilient to harm, including disinformation.
As Ofcom enforces the Online Safety Act, it will have to consider each of the government’s strategic priorities. The regulator will also have to report back to the Secretary of State on what action it has taken against the priorities to ensure the laws are delivering safer spaces online.
The priorities will be finalised with the input of online safety experts and campaigners to ensure government action is informed by those with those who have experienced the offline impacts of failures in online safety.
Technology secretary Peter Kyle said: "Keeping children safe online is a priority for this government. That is why today I will be the first secretary of state to exercise the power to set out my strategic priorities.
"From baking safety into social media sites from the outset, to increasing platform transparency, these priorities will allow us to monitor progress, collate evidence, innovate, and act where laws are coming up short.
"While the Online Safety Act sets the foundation of creating better experiences online, we must keep pace with technology as it evolves to create a safer internet, especially for children."
There are five key priority areas, with the first being safety by design. This means that safety should be embedded by design to deliver safe online experiences, tackle violence against women and girls, and work towards ensuring that there are no safe havens for illegal content and activity, including fraud, child sexual exploitation and abuse, and illegal disinformation.
The second priority focuses on transparency and accountability, promoting increased trust and expanding the evidence-base to provide safer experiences for users.
The third highlights agile regulation, ensuring the framework is robust in monitoring and tackling emerging harms - such as AI generated content.
Priority number four is creating an inclusive, informed and vibrant digital world which is resilient to potential harms, including disinformation.
The final priority focuses on technology and innovation to improve the safety of users and drive growth.
