In an effort to make the internet a safer place – for minors in particular – the UK government passed the Online Safety Act 2023, one of the most far-reaching pieces of digital legislation in recent years. It officially became law in October 2023 and began to be enforced in July 2025.
Whether you’re a casual browser, a parent, or a content creator, this new law has direct implications for how you use the internet in the UK.
The Online Safety Act is designed to protect children and vulnerable users from harmful online content, including:
Pornographic material
Violent or abusive content
Promotion of suicide, self-harm, or eating disorders
Hate speech and extremist content
It puts legal responsibility on social media platforms, websites, and apps to prevent underage users from accessing harmful or age-inappropriate content.
Here’s a breakdown of what the law demands from online services:
Websites and platforms that host adult content must now implement “highly effective age checks” to ensure users are 18+.
Acceptable methods include:
Passport or ID verification
Credit card or banking validation
Facial recognition and age estimation tools
Verified digital ID services
Basic self-declarations like ticking a box or entering a date of birth are no longer sufficient.
Social media platforms (like TikTok, X/Twitter, Instagram) must:
Remove harmful content swiftly
Prevent underage access to adult material
Explain how their algorithms work
Allow users more control over what they see
Failing to comply could lead to:
Fines up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue
Platforms being blocked in the UK
More Protection for Children
If you’re a parent or carer, the Act aims to reduce children’s exposure to harmful online content by making age verification mandatory on adult sites and increasing accountability on social media platforms.
Less Online Anonymity
To comply with the law, users may be asked to provide personal information such as ID or facial data. While this raises safety standards, it also leads to concerns about privacy, surveillance, and data protection.
Bypass Attempts via VPNs
Since the rollout of age verification, VPN usage in the UK has surged by over 500%, as some users attempt to bypass these new checks. However, using a VPN to avoid age checks may breach platform terms of service and is being actively monitored.
Increased Censorship Concerns
Some users and civil liberties groups argue that the law could lead to overblocking, where legitimate content is mistakenly restricted. Creators and educators dealing with sensitive topics (e.g. sexual health, mental health) may see reduced reach or stricter moderation.
Data privacy: Critics fear that handing over biometric data or ID to third parties increases the risk of data breaches or surveillance.
Free speech: Some fear the Act may lead to excessive censorship or suppression of controversial but legal speech.
Enforcement: Ofcom is investigating dozens of adult websites for non-compliance. It remains to be seen how strictly the law will be applied across platforms of all sizes.
The Online Safety Act 2023 represents a major shift in how the internet is regulated in the UK. While it aims to create a safer environment – particularly for younger users – it also raises valid questions about privacy, access, and free expression.
For users, the best course of action is to:
Be aware of what data you’re sharing
Use secure and trusted verification platforms
Stay informed as enforcement evolves