Online Safety Act: Everything to Know About New Internet Rules

The Internet is a great place to watch funny videos, chat with friends, or learn more about the world. The internet can be both a useful and fun tool. However, it can also be dangerous when not used properly. 

The UK has made a new law to keep children safe online. Social media sites must block harmful content and check ages. This law’s purpose is to protect young people and make the internet safer for all. Companies must be clear about how they work.

 For users, it means safer time online. At the same time, Google adds AI mode to help find and stop harmful posts more quickly.

What is the Online Safety Act (OSA)?

The UK parliament passed the Online Safety Act. The law was created to protect internet users, and especially children. It informs online services, websites, apps, and games about what they need to do to prevent harmful or dangerous content from reaching users.

It doesn't just apply to one or two sites. The law applies to over 100,000 online companies. This includes major names such as Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Google, as well as adult sites and gaming platforms.

The law aims to ensure that companies take online security seriously and do all they can to protect their users from bullying, harmful material, and harm.

Why was this law made?

The Online Safety Act was created because of the harm that many people, particularly children, experience from things they saw and experienced online. Videos or images that depict violence, self-harm or adult content can be upsetting. Using the internet for bullying or spreading lies is also a common practice.

Molly Russell's tragic story, a 14-year-old girl who died in the year 2000. She was exposed to disturbing content about suicide, depression, and self-harm on social media. Her family spoke out after her death about the dangers that children face online.

Her father, Ian Russell, has been an active voice for change. Along with others like Baroness Kidron and Rio Ferdinand of the football team, as well as TV star Georgia Harrison, he helped to push for stronger rules in order to protect children.

Key Rules of the Online Safety Act

• Duty to remove illegal content

• Illegal content risk assessment

• Children's risk assessment

• Duty to protect children

• Strict age verification for adult content

• Filter harmful children’s content

• Reporting and redress

• Protect public‑interest content

• Adult risk and safety duties

• Enforcement powers and penalties

The websites of ofcom.org.uk, theverge.com, and gov.uk discuss the rules of the Online Safety Act.

What are the responsibilities of social media companies?

Social media companies are now required to take action to protect their users. The law requires that these companies build systems to ensure harmful content is removed from their sites and away from children.

The law requires that businesses remove any harmful materials as quickly as possible. The company must remove any video, image or message reported by a user as being dangerous or disturbing as quickly as possible.

Websites and applications must also verify the age of their users. Adult content must be blocked for anyone under 18 years old. Pornography, posts encouraging self-harm or dangerous challenges, and other adult content are all prohibited.

Websites must check the ages of users more closely. Users may be required to provide proof of their age, such as a photo ID, a scan of the face, or by using other methods, like phone checks or digital identification tools, instead of clicking "Yes, I am over 18". It may sound harsh, but the goal is to protect young people.

It is also important that companies make it easy for their users to report any bad content they find online. People should have clear buttons for reporting harmful posts. They should also get immediate help if they feel threatened or upset by something.

What about smart devices and technology?

Smart technology is also covered by the law. Smart speakers, smartwatches and talking toys are all examples of smart technology. These devices are capable of listening, talking, and collecting data.

According to the Online Safety Act, smart technology should also protect children. A toy, for example, should not record what a kid says and then send the information to a stranger. These devices should be designed with safety and privacy in mind. They must not collect private data or share it without permission.

Who is responsible for ensuring that the rules are followed?

Ofcom, a group that was created to monitor compliance with the new rules by companies, is now responsible for this. Ofcom acts as a watchdog. They ensure that apps and websites are following the law.

Ofcom may fine a company a large amount of money if they do not comply with the Online Safety Act. In serious cases, websites could be blocked by the UK. If they continue to break the rules, company leaders may face legal action.

This is a major change. In the past, internet companies that allowed harmful content were not punished. They are now held accountable.

What are the New Age checks?

The law that requires adult websites to check the age of users is one of the most discussed changes. These websites have to ensure that anyone under 18 years old cannot view their content.

They can use digital identity apps, photo ID scans, debit or credit card checks, phone number checks and other tools to verify your digital identity. The age checks also have to adhere to data privacy laws, so that the personal information of those who are being checked is not disclosed.

Some people are concerned that age checks could be too strict and invade privacy. The government, however, says that the primary concern is to protect children. If they permit any content that may harm minors, social media sites could also be required to conduct age checks.

Does the law have enough strength?

Some campaigners say that this law should be strengthened. Others think it could go further. They want more action to stop the addictive content online, better rules protecting girls, and limits for how long children spend on social media.

Others have suggested that children be limited to a certain amount of screen time per day.

Australia, for example, has already discussed banning social media use by all children younger than sixteen. The UK is closely watching and could decide to tighten its laws in the future.

What can children and parents do?

Even though this law is new, it's important that children and their families are smart and cautious when using the Internet.

These simple tips can help children protect themselves.

• Never chat with strangers on the internet

• Don't share your personal information, such as your full name, where you go to school or live.

• Tell an adult if something online causes you to feel confused or scared.

• You should not click on links or watch videos that you do not know.

• Never post rude messages online.

Parents can help their children by using parental controls and checking privacy settings. They can also talk to them about internet safety.

Final Thoughts

The Online Safety Act has a major impact on the way the Internet works in the UK. The act tells companies to do more to protect people, particularly children.

The law was passed because courageous families and campaigners said "enough is enough." This is a momentous occasion for internet safety and shows that the government will take action to protect their youngest citizens.

This law, although it will take some time to see all of the changes in action, is a good start. This law gives us hope for a better, safer internet.

Remember to always be cautious, kind and speak up when you feel something is wrong. The internet is amazing, but only if we use it responsibly.

FAQs About the New Internet Safety Rules

1. What is the Online Safety Act?

The Online Safety Act is a new law in the UK that helps keep children safe when they use the internet. It makes websites and apps responsible for stopping bad and harmful things from being shown to kids.

2. Which websites have to follow the rules?

Big websites like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and even adult sites must follow the rules to protect children. More than one hundred thousand companies must follow the law.

3. How will websites check if I am old enough to see adult content?

Websites might ask you to prove your age using things like ID cards, a face scan, a phone check, or credit card information. This is to make sure only adults see adult content.

4. Who makes sure websites follow the rules?

A group called Ofcom checks that websites follow the Online Safety Act. If a website breaks the rules, Ofcom can give fines or even block the website in the UK.

5. Will the new rules stop all bad things on the internet?

The rules will help a lot, but not everything will be fixed right away. Children should still be careful and talk to adults if they see something bad online.

6. How can parents help keep children safe online?

Parents can check what children do on the internet, use safety controls on devices, talk about good and bad things online, and help children report harmful content.