A generation of children will not be allowed to grow up ‘at the mercy of toxic algorithms’, the Technology Secretary said as new online safety protections come into force today.
Peter Kyle said the foundations were being laid for a safer online world, as he warned tech firms ‘will be held to account’ if they fail to adhere.
The changes, part of the Online Safety Act and set to be enforced by regulator Ofcom, require online platforms to have age checks if they host pornography or other harmful content such as material about self-harm and suicide.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle (pictured) arriving to Downing Street as he attends the weekly Cabinet meeting in London on July 22, 2025
He has vowed a generation of children will not be allowed to grow up ‘at the mercy of toxic algorithms’, saying tech firms will be held to account by new online protections (stock image)
Platforms must ensure algorithms do not harm children by pushing such content to them.
Firms that fail to comply could face fines of up to £18 million or 10 per cent of global revenue and court orders blocking access in the UK.
Mr Kyle said: ‘We cannot – and will not – allow a generation of children to grow up at the mercy of toxic algorithms.’ He calls on firms to ‘act now to protect our children’.
