#318 The Future of Child Online Safety: Insights from Ofcom & LGfL
Release Date: 03/06/2026
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info_outline- The Online Safety Act was prompted by tragic incidents involving children.
- Empowering parents and schools is crucial for online safety.
- Children's experiences online often differ from their parents'.
- Continuous communication about online safety is essential.
- Technology is an integral part of children's lives today.
- AI poses new risks that need to be addressed.
- Schools should engage parents creatively in online safety discussions.
- Risk assessments are vital for companies serving children.
- Children need to be educated about the risks of online content.
- Regulators must hold companies accountable for user safety.
key topics
Legislation and regulation of online safety (Online Safety Act, Ofcom's role)
Impact of AI and algorithms on children's online experiences
Parental and educational strategies for online safeguarding
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Online Safety and the Guests
03:51 The Impetus Behind the Online Safety Act
05:35 Support from LGfL for Schools and Parents
08:14 The Role of Parents in Online Safety
10:59 Ofcom's Regulatory Role and Responsibilities
13:34 Impact of Algorithms on Children's Online Experience
16:21 Engaging Parents in Online Safety Discussions
18:06 Children's Experiences and Parental Awareness
20:06 Overcoming Parental Barriers to Online Safety Conversations
22:30 The Future of Social Media Regulations
24:38 Empowering Parents and Educators for Online Safety
26:57 Empowering Parents with Resources
28:30 Regulatory Frameworks and Company Accountability
33:40 School Policies on Technology Use
41:45 Navigating the Challenges of AI in Education
47:39 Envisioning a Safer Digital Future
49:57 The Importance of Online Safety in Education
51:04 Navigating the Challenges of AI and Online Safety
Resources
Online Safety Act (UK) - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/29/enacted
Ofcom's Online Safety Framework - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety
UN Rights of the Child in Digital - https://www.un.org/en/rights-of-the-child
UNICEF Digital Child Safety Initiatives - https://www.unicef.org/child-rights/digital-safety
LGFL Safeguarding Resources - https://lgfl.net/Safeguarding/
Australian Online Safety Laws - https://www.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/children-and-teenagers/online-safety
Ofcom's Research on Children's Online Experiences - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/children-online
Global Regulatory Cooperation on Digital Safety - https://www.ituc-csi.org/global-cooperation-digital-safety
The resource I referenced is the Parent Online Safety Toolkit for schools – available to download at https://parentonlinesafety.lgfl.net/