In an ambitious effort to bolster the safety of children in the digital space, Europe’s eSafety, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT), and the UK's Office of Communications (Ofcom) have formally joined forces. This collaboration seeks to address the growing exposure of children to online risks through education, supervision, and the enforcement of stringent safety measures on digital platforms. The alliance reflects a shared understanding of the persistent challenges faced by children, ranging from exposure to harmful content to breaches of their privacy and well-being, in an increasingly connected world.
The three regulatory bodies have committed to rigorously implementing and supervising their respective online safety legislation with a strong focus on safeguarding children's rights, as outlined by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Their cooperation emphasises ensuring that online platforms are robust in assessing and mitigating risks linked to the design and operation of their services. A key area of focus is the advancement of privacy-preserving age assurance technologies, which play a critical role in shielding children from inappropriate content and hazardous functionalities that they might inadvertently encounter.
To deepen their collaboration, the regulators intend to establish a dedicated technical trilateral cooperation group centred on age assurance. This group will explore interoperability of age verification solutions and broader technological developments, sharing best practices and building an evidence base to strengthen regulatory oversight. Independent research in this domain will also be encouraged, aiming to enhance the effectiveness and safety of age assurance methods. This initiative is particularly timely given the increasing reliance on online platforms for children’s social and educational activities, necessitating better tools to ensure these environments remain safe.
The ongoing cooperation between eSafety, DG CNECT, and Ofcom is part of a wider global trend towards more cohesive online safety regulation. For instance, Australia's eSafety Commissioner has also pledged to collaborate with these European regulators, indicating a growing international consensus on protecting children online. These partnerships are built around exchanging expertise, coordinating enforcement efforts, and developing united strategies to tackle risks associated with digital platforms, as seen in the Global Online Safety Regulators Network. Such networks underline the necessity of transcending national borders in confronting online harms and fostering safer digital environments worldwide.
Moreover, regional initiatives such as the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) complement these cooperative frameworks by mandating very large online platforms and search engines to conduct annual systemic risk assessments, including specific provisions addressing minors. This legislation underscores the emphasis on Safety by Design principles, encouraging platforms to anticipate and mitigate potential harms proactively. In parallel, Ofcom's participation in the International Working Group on Age Verification enforces this commitment, particularly focusing on video-sharing platforms to strengthen age-related access controls and reduce children's exposure to harmful content.
Complementing regulatory advancements, there is a strong focus on empowering children through media literacy, critical thinking, and digital skills development. By enabling children and their parents or guardians to participate in shaping regulatory protections, the regulators aim to foster more inclusive, informed, and confident online engagement. This dual approach of regulation combined with education seeks not only to reduce current risks but also to address future digital divides and vulnerabilities.
In summary, the collaborative effort between European and UK regulators, along with their international counterparts, marks a significant step forward in creating safer online environments for children. By combining stringent enforcement, technical innovation in age assurance, and educational initiatives, this partnership aspires to reduce the risks children face online while promoting their rights and well-being in the digital era. The move reflects an understanding that safeguarding children online is a complex challenge that demands coordinated, multi-faceted, and evolving strategies at both regional and global levels.
📌 Reference Map:
- [1] (Mirage News) - Paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 6, 7
- [2] (European Commission) - Paragraphs 1, 3, 6
- [3] (European Commission) - Paragraph 4
- [4] (eSafety) - Paragraph 5
- [5] (Ofcom) - Paragraph 4
- [6] (eSafety) - Paragraph 5
- [7] (European Commission) - Paragraph 6
Source: Noah Wire Services