Secordit home
Contact

What is the Online Safety Act 2023?

The Online Safety Act 2023 is the UK law that places safety duties on providers of certain online services, including social media and search. Those duties are there to protect users, especially children. The Act is not a claim that the internet is safe. This entry is general information, not legal advice. 13

By Secordit. Last checked: 10 November 2026.

Go to the steps · All glossary terms

How it works

  1. The GOV.UK explainer says providers must have systems to reduce the risk that their services are used for illegal activity. They must also take down illegal content when it appears. 1
  2. The strongest protections in the Act were designed for children. Platforms are required to prevent children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content, and to provide clear ways for parents and children to report problems. 1
  3. The Act also has measures aimed at adult users. These include more transparency about the kinds of potentially harmful content major platforms allow, and more user control over what they see. 1

What UK guidance says

Ofcom is the independent regulator. It sets out steps providers can take in codes of practice, and has powers to assess and enforce those duties. Duties are described as proportionate to risk, and to the size and capacity of the provider. Ofcom's guide for providers says the Act can apply even if a service is based outside the UK, if it is used by UK users. 12

The same Ofcom page states the fine wording for the most serious cases. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, or £18 million, whichever is greater. That wording is Ofcom's. This page does not say those fines have been applied in a particular case. 2

Warning signs

  • A service used by children does not offer a clear way for parents or children to report problems. 1
  • A claim that the Act means every platform is safe for children. The Act places duties on providers. It does not make that claim. 1
  • A page treats this glossary entry as a guide for platforms that must follow the Act, or as legal advice. 32

What to do now

  1. If you want to understand the Act, start with the GOV.UK explainer and with Ofcom's guide for providers. The text of the Act is on legislation.gov.uk. 123
  2. Use the reporting tools that platforms are required to provide when you need to report a problem, especially where a child is involved. 1
  3. If you also think a crime has taken place, use Report Fraud, or Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland. 4567

UK reporting and support

How to protect yourself

  • Use the clear reporting routes that platforms are required to provide for parents and children. 1
  • Treat this page as an explainer for families, not as a guide for platforms, and not as legal advice. 13
  • Duties are described as proportionate to risk, and to the size and capacity of the provider. 2

Frequently asked questions

Does the Online Safety Act mean social media is safe for my children?

No. The Act requires platforms to prevent children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content, and to provide clear ways for parents and children to report problems. Those are duties on providers. The Act is not a claim that every service is safe. 1

Who regulates the Online Safety Act?

Ofcom is the independent regulator. It sets out steps providers can take in codes of practice, and has powers to assess and enforce those duties. 12

Can the Act apply to a service based outside the UK?

Ofcom's guide for providers says the Act can apply even if a service is based outside the UK, if it is used by UK users. Ofcom sets out the fine wording for the most serious cases. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, or £18 million, whichever is greater. 2

News Pulse

Account security, explained by email.

Read about News Pulse

Sources

  1. GOV.UK, Online Safety Act: explainer. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  2. Ofcom, Online Safety Act: guide for services. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  3. legislation.gov.uk, Online Safety Act 2023. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  4. Report Fraud, Report Fraud. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  5. Report Fraud, Guide to reporting cyber crime and fraud. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  6. Police Scotland, How to report a crime - Police Scotland. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).
  7. Report Fraud, Reporting cyber crime and fraud or phishing attempts - Report Fraud. Accessed 10 November 2026 (Europe/London).