Online Safety Network

Online Safety Network

@osnetwork.bsky.social

Building a better online world for all Visit our website for all the latest analysis, commentary, research and resources relating to online safety, OSA enforcement, AI and emerging harms: www.onlinesafetynetwork.uk

558 followers156 following367 posts

Online Safety Network reposted

5Rights Foundation
@5rightsfound.bsky.social

🚩 Meta says child safety is a priority yet internal documents reveal talks about discrediting an academic who warned about social media’s impact on children’s mental health. We shouldn’t have to rely on litigation to uncover what tech companies know about the risks. 📖 www.law360.com/articles/254...

law360.comMeta Docs Reveal Plan To Discredit Teen-Harm Critic Haidt - Law360Meta internally set a goal to "get the academic community to disavow" and "turn against" professor Jonathan Haidt, who has linked social media use to mental health decline, as it in-house rebuffed int...

Online Safety Network reposted

Center for Countering Digital Harm
@counterharm.com

Three years ago, the UK’s Online Safety Act became law. CCDH’s research and advocacy helped shape key aspects of this law including through securing amendments around independent research access and crisis response measures.

Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

A reminder that @ofcom.bsky.social has an investigation underway into X/Grok, following its generation of non-consensual sexually explicit imagery on an industrial scale in January. The regulator has provided no update on this investigation since it was opened - in January. #onlinesafetyact

Center for Countering Digital Harm@counterharm.com

Over 60 instances of child sexual abuse material generated by Grok appeared on X, new reporting by @nytimes.com finds. X has become an avenue for the abuse and exploitation of children.

Online Safety Network reposted

Ofcom
@ofcom.bsky.social

We're investigating whether TikTok's age assurance measures are effective at protecting UK children from harmful content. This follows our new report looking at the use of age checks under the Online Safety Act.

Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

@ofcom.bsky.social has today published the #onlinesafetyact register of categorised services along with a consultation on the additional duties - including on scam ads - relating to those services. Here's an explainer to help navigate the multiple documents: www.onlinesafetyact.net/analysis/osa...

onlinesafetyact.netOSA Phase 3: register of categorised services and related dutiesThis explainer from Prof Lorna Woods provides a high-level overview of the various documents published by Ofcom as part of the third phase of Online Safety Act implementation. We will be publishing co...

Online Safety Network reposted

Tech Policy Press
@techpolicypress.bsky.social

Following multiple instances of social media-fueled violence, Demos Digital interim director Hannah Perry argues the next UK government should move the Defending Democracy Taskforce into Downing Street and publish a new strategy for information ecosystems resilience.

buff.lyNew UK Prime Minister Should Elevate Defending Democracy Taskforce to Tackle Bots and Protect Trusted NewsThe next government needs to build a more resilient information ecosystem, writes Demos Digital interim director Hannah Perry.

Online Safety Network reposted

Center for Countering Digital Harm
@counterharm.com

Musk has the most followed account on X. He's using it to amplify anti-migrant narratives that fueled violent riots in Belfast, weeks after agreeing to a compliance program on illegal hate. We joined 40+ organizations urging the incoming Prime Minister to strengthen the UK's online safety laws 👇

politicshome.comDozens Of Organisations Urge Burnham To Strengthen Online Safety LawsExclusive: A coalition of charities, campaign groups, researchers and academics has urged Andy Burnham to strengthen online safety laws if, as expe...

Online Safety Network reposted

PoliticsHome
@politicshome.bsky.social

Exc: A coalition of charities, campaign groups, researchers & academics has urged Burnham to strengthen online safety laws when he enters No 10 A statement led by the Online Safety Network calls on Burnham to bring in new legislation that'd be regularly updated to keep pace with evolving technology

politicshome.comDozens Of Organisations Urge Burnham To Strengthen Online Safety LawsExclusive: A coalition of charities, campaign groups, researchers and academics has urged Andy Burnham to strengthen online safety laws if, as expe...
Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

Thanks to @zoecrowther.bsky.social @politicshome.bsky.social for covering our call - backed by dozens of our partners - calling on the new PM to deliver a more ambitious approach to #onlinesafety and #AI policy and regulation. Full statement here: www.onlinesafetyact.net/analysis/onl...

onlinesafetyact.netOnline safety: the opportunities ahead for the new Prime MinisterThis joint statement has been signed by 47 of our Network partners, who are listed below. The past six months have brought debates about children’s online safety to the very heart of British life and ...
Zoë Crowther@zoecrowther.bsky.social

EXC: A coalition of charities, campaign groups, and academics has urged Andy Burnham to strengthen online safety laws if he enters No10 47 organisations said in a statement that the govt's approach to online safety has been "fragmented and slow" and a new PM should be an opportunity for a reset

politicshome.comDozens Of Organisations Urge Burnham To Strengthen Online Safety LawsExclusive: A coalition of charities, campaign groups, researchers and academics has urged Andy Burnham to strengthen online safety laws if, as expe...
Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

💭 Reactions from civil society organisations - within our Network and beyond - to the announcement of a #socialmedia ban have been rounded up here. 2/2 www.onlinesafetyact.net/analysis/soc...

onlinesafetyact.netSocial media ban: civil society responsesWe have compiled a selection of published responses and reactions from civil society organisations (within the OSA Network and beyond) to the Government's announcement of a social media ban for under-...
Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

The case for decisive action to address the harms created by social media platforms has been successfully made by children, parents, safety campaigners and many others. But the Government’s announcement today does them a disservice. 1/5

View full thread
Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

If the Govt is truly committed to protecting children online it must tackle the root causes of harm by: 1️⃣strengthening the #onlinesafetyact 2️⃣making the platforms responsible for designing safe online spaces 3️⃣empowering Ofcom to properly enforce existing and new laws to keep all users safe. 4/5

Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

Without these additional steps the government will short-change parents, endanger children, and squander this vital opportunity to make social media and other harmful online services safe for everyone. Read our full response here: www.onlinesafetyact.net/analysis/res... 5/5

onlinesafetyact.netResponse to the Government announcement on a social media ban for under-16sThe Government’s announcement today is a disservice to all the parents who have campaigned so determinedly for change, to all the young people who responded to the consultation with their views and to...
Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

The case for decisive action to address the harms created by social media platforms has been successfully made by children, parents, safety campaigners and many others. But the Government’s announcement today does them a disservice. 1/5

Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

We remain of the view - along with many of the organisations in our Network - that banning children from social media platforms without addressing the underlying, unsafe and addictive design choices made by tech companies that place profit before safety and well-being will not make them safer. 3/5

Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

The PM has announced the much-trailed #socialmedia ban for under-16s. The #DSIT press release here and the Secretary of State will be giving a statement to Parliament this afternoon. We'll be publishing our initial response on what we know - and what we don't - shortly. www.gov.uk/government/n...?

gov.ukSocial media to be banned for under-16s in landmark government move to give kids their childhood backSocial media platforms to be blocked from offering services to under-16s, marking a line in the sand and setting a new normal for future generations.
Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

We are proud to join over 100 organisations and campaigners standing with Jess Asato MP in her significant, and brave, step to seek accountability from xAI, not just for herself but the countless women and girls harmed, as reported in @the-independent.com: 1/5 www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

independent.co.ukMore than 100 campaigners back MP suing Elon Musk’s xAI over deepfake images of herExclusive: Jess Asato says the support she has received ‘feels like a shout for women’s freedom on the internet’
View full thread
Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

Questions have to be asked of the regulators - Ofcom & ICO - who only opened their investigations after a public outcry and political pressure earlier this year. Both regulators must now fully enforce the laws we have - the #onlinesafetyact & data protection - to ensure this cannot happen again. 4/5

Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

We are proud to join over 100 organisations and campaigners standing with Jess Asato MP in her significant, and brave, step to seek accountability from xAI, not just for herself but the countless women and girls harmed, as reported in @the-independent.com: 1/5 www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/poli...

independent.co.ukMore than 100 campaigners back MP suing Elon Musk’s xAI over deepfake images of herExclusive: Jess Asato says the support she has received ‘feels like a shout for women’s freedom on the internet’

Online Safety Network reposted

Center for Countering Digital Harm
@counterharm.com

UK MP Jess Asato is suing xAI, after Grok produced a fake sexualized image of her. This isn't a one-off. We found that Grok produced an estimated 3 MILLION sexualized images over just 11 days. This case is an important step, but we need real regulation to hold AI companies accountable.

Online Safety Network reposted

Zoë Crowther
@zoecrowther.bsky.social

On Friday, X promised to review and assess at least 85% of UK suspected illegal terrorist and hate content within a max of 48 hours By Monday, dozens of racist posts targeting British public figures were still online more than 48 hours after being reported

politicshome.comX Accused Of Failing To Remove Racist Abuse Despite New Ofcom CommitmentsX has been accused of failing to honour commitments made to the UK communications regulator, after dozens of racist posts targeting ethnic minority...
Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

🆕 Our response to @ofcom.bsky.social's report on platforms' actions to protect children online, which makes for particularly concerning reading. TL:DR: The tech companies must do better. But so must the regulator. #safetybydesign #onlinesafetyact www.onlinesafetyact.net/analysis/ofc...

onlinesafetyact.netOfcom vows to take stronger action on platforms failing to take action to protect children onlineToday Ofcom published the results of their call to action to tech platforms to update them on their progress on complying with the Online Safety Act’s children’s duties, identifying four themes: prote...
View full thread
View full thread
Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

The findings: 🔹 84% want companies required to prove products are safe before use — same standard as toys, food & household goods 🔹 61% say social media firms take little or no responsibility for designing safe products 🔹 79% want comprehensive laws — platforms will otherwise put profits first 2/

Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

New blog on #onlineabuse of candidates, the impact on democratic participation and the failure of the Government to act. www.onlinesafetyact.net/analysis/onl...

onlinesafetyact.netOnline abuse is hindering democratic participation whilst the Government fails to actAs the UK faces the fallout from a crushing defeat to Labour at the local elections last week, parties have reported “the worst year in memory” for abuse of candidates, both online and in-person. The ...
Online Safety Network
@osnetwork.bsky.social

What the King didn't say: the online safety-shaped hole in the Government's legislative agenda ⬇️ www.onlinesafetyact.net/analysis/wha...

onlinesafetyact.netWhat the King didn't say: the online safety-shaped hole in the Government's legislative agendaThis week, in her explosive resignation letter, the Home Office Minister Jess Phillips revealed what civil society campaigners have known for months: that Keir Starmer’s No10 has been the blocker to a...

Online Safety Network reposted

Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)
@iwf.org.uk

(1/2) On the one year anniversary of the Illegal Harms Codes under the OSA, we brought together UK partners working to tackle online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) for a roundtable on the Government’s proposed under 16 social media ban. Our discussion focused on two priorities...

Online Safety Network reposted

Center for Countering Digital Harm
@counterharm.com

🆕 AI chatbots are already helping users plan violent attacks. CCDH and @cnn.com found chatbots assisting accounts posing as teens with school shootings, stabbings, and bomb threats. That’s why we’re backing changes to the UK Crime & Policing Bill👇

counterhate.comKiller Apps  — Center for Countering Digital Hate | CCDH8 in 10 AI chatbots regularly assisted users in planning violent attacks including school shootings, bombings, and assassinations, a new CCDH report found.