Reflecting on Child Safety in the Digital Age: A Critical Analysis

I was recently invited to support a panel discussion focused on online safety, child protection in the digital age, and the principles of Fair Tech. The event explored how new regulations can foster transparency and integrity, creating a safer digital environment for all, especially the most vulnerable internet users. The event was hosted by Access Partnership and TIPS Network.

Joining me was the following speakers:

- Alexander Hall, Principal, Online Safety Supervision, Ofcom

- Adam Ingle, Global Lead, Digital Policy, the LEGO Group

- Sofia Tirini, Manager, Regulatory Compliance, Access Partnership

As we reflected on 25 years of #FairTech, it became clear that while progress has been made, we're still far from achieving a truly safe digital environment for children. The collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers represented on our panel is crucial, but it must be coupled with a willingness to challenge existing paradigms and push for more radical solutions.

The Evolving Landscape of Online Safety

Over the past decades, we've witnessed a dramatic transformation in the digital world our children navigate. While regulations such as the Online Safety Act (OSA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) have been implemented, questions remain about their effectiveness and enforcement.

A Critical Look at Ofcom's Three-Year Strategy

In preparation for the event, I reviewed Ofcom's three-year media literacy strategy. While their commitment to a child rights-based approach was commendable, I found several areas where their strategy fell short:

1. Lack of Concrete Measures: While Ofcom claimed to prioritize vulnerable groups, including children, their strategy lacked specific, measurable actions to achieve this goal.
2. Overreliance on Education: The emphasis on collaboration with education authorities and teacher training, while important, seemed to shift too much responsibility onto educators without addressing the root causes of online harm.
3. Insufficient Platform Accountability: Ofcom's approach to engaging with online platforms appeared too lenient, lacking robust mechanisms to hold these companies accountable for the safety of their youngest users.
4. Limited Scope: The strategy failed to adequately address emerging technologies like VR and AR, decentralized platforms and user generated content which present unique challenges and opportunities for child safety.

Key Takeaways from the Panel Discussion

The panel, which included Alexander Hall from Ofcom and Adam Ingle from the LEGO Group, provided a platform for robust debate. We discussed:

1. The limitations of current regulations and the need for more adaptive, technology-specific policies.
2. The importance of involving children in the development of safety measures, something often overlooked in policy discussions.
3. The potential of emerging technologies to both create new risks and offer innovative solutions for online safety.

Looking Forward: A Call for Bold Action

As we reflected on our progress in online child safety, it became clear that while steps have been made, we're still far from achieving a truly safe digital environment for children. The collaboration between industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers is crucial, but it must be coupled with a willingness to challenge existing paradigms and push for more radical solutions.

Moving forward, we need:

1. More stringent regulations that hold platforms accountable for the safety of their youngest users.
2. Increased investment in research and development of child-centric safety technologies.
3. A shift from reactive to proactive approaches in identifying and mitigating online risks.
4. Greater emphasis on digital empowerment, not just protection, enabling children to navigate online spaces confidently and safely.

The event served as a stark reminder that while we celebrate progress, we must also critically examine our shortcomings. As we look to the future, let's commit to bolder, more innovative approaches to online child safety. The next phase of digital safety must be characterized by action, not just discussion.