Ofcom

Our Online Safety Policy Development Director, Almudena Lara appeared on BBC's Panorama this week, to explain our proposed measures to help protect children online. The show followed two teenagers as they spent a week without their smartphones. It also explored some of the harmful content young people can come across when using their phones - including violent videos and imagery. On the show, Almudena explained some of proposed measures we expect tech firms to take to improve children's online safety - including preventing children from encountering the most harmful content relating to suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, and pornography. They must also minimise exposure to other serious harms, including violent content. Watch the full episode at: https://lnkd.in/eEh7HdGm

Twitch creators are labelling mature content much more accurately to help viewers make informed choices about the content they watch. The platform changed its content classification guidelines in June 2023 and our evaluation of these measures found that content labelling accuracy increased substantially. Before these new guidelines, we found that less than half of mature gaming streams were accurately labelled. As the regulator for the video-sharing platforms (VSPs) and Online Safety regimes, it is important that we evaluate safety measures deployed by platforms to understand their impact and effectiveness in improving online safety. Find out more here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/egSPkUaF

🎵💿 People are spending more money on CDs and vinyl, our research reveals. 📈 Consumer spend on physical music formats like CDs and vinyl increased by 10% between 2022 and 2023. 🎧 The power of streaming services continues to grow, accounting for 84% of total consumer spending on music.

The Media Act is designed to protect public service broadcasting while fostering innovation, so that UK audiences can enjoy the content they love. It also makes some changes to our existing responsibilities as the UK’s regulator of broadcast media, including: 📻 Updating the regulatory framework for commercial radio to secure important local content. 📺 Ensuring that the UK public service broadcasters can deliver obligations, such as quotas, wherever audiences expect them and not just on linear TV. 🎙 Introducing new duties to secure prominence for PSB content and the accessibility of UK radio through voice assistants. 🔗 Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/ejmaEFcJ

‘Online safety risks don’t stop at the border, they traverse the world.’ 🌎 Owen Bennett, our head of international online safety, talks about why international collaboration is crucial as we work to help people in the UK live safer lives online. “The kind of online harms and risks that we're trying to address, and the companies we’re trying to reach, are global in nature... It’s essential that we’re thinking with an international mindset and working with our international counterparts if we are to realise a safer online experience for people in the UK.” 🔗 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e73muBsc

▶️ People in the UK now watch an average of 38 minutes of YouTube per day at home. 📈 That's up 20% year-on-year, our latest Media Nations research reveals. 📺 Watching YouTube content on traditional TV screens is on the rise - with 34% of in-home YouTube viewing now on TV sets, rising to 45% among kids aged 4-15. 📱 16-34s spend a higher proportion of time watching YouTube on other devices like smartphones, tablets and computers. Let us know how you prefer to watch 👇

🔍 The impact of content controls on our online experiences. Our behavioural insights experts partnered up with The Behavioural Insights Team to explore the role of content controls in helping users curate their online feeds. As the digital landscape evolves and the volume of information grows, managing online content is becoming increasingly crucial for both consumers and businesses. In this article, we delve into how content controls can empower users to create healthier digital environments by filtering out unwanted content. We also examine the implications for industry stakeholders, including social media platforms and content creators, in fostering more personalised and positive online experiences. Discover how these tools can enhance user engagement, reduce information overload, and contribute to improved digital well-being. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eAqwMTiK

📺 Changes in commercial broadcasting. Our new research highlights how the UK media landscape has shifted in 2023 and 2024. Overall, audiences remain pleased with public service broadcasters (PSBs), as seven in 10 viewers say they are satisfied with the service. Total commercial TV and online revenue grew slightly to £15.6bn, but commercial PSBs saw a significant decline in revenue, and digital multichannels are dropping below 2020 levels. Interestingly, while overall ad spend rose by 5.3%, it was primarily driven by online growth. PSBs also reduced spending on new TV content, largely due to fewer major sports events compared to 2022. But we also found that the TV set is still central in bringing the nation together for big moments such as the Euros or the Olympics. Read more about these trends here 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e2wNW3B4

Following recent acts of violence in the UK, we are speaking to relevant social media, gaming and messaging companies about their responsibilities as a matter of urgency. We've been engaging with them about their actions to prevent their platforms being used to stir up hatred, provoke violence and commit other offences. Although platforms' new duties under the Online Safety Act do not come into force until the new year, they can act now – there is no need to wait for new laws to make their sites and apps safer for users. 🔗 Read our open letter to them here: https://lnkd.in/eMenfS9f

🚀 Are you an online service in scope of the Online Safety Act? Join us at our next webinar as we explain more about the transparency reports that will be required by some of the most widely used sites and apps. In the session we will: 🔶 Introduce our consultation on the draft transparency reporting guidance. 🔶 Explain how we'll determine the information services will need to produce in their transparency reports. 🔶 Explain how we'll engage with stakeholders about their transparency reports. Join us on: 📅 Wed, 14 August 🕒 12:15PM 🔗 Secure your place and register here: https://lnkd.in/ezpHfuxK