Story perspectives

UK Tackles Self-Harm Online: New Safety Amendments Proposed

9/10/2025

Summary

Story summary

The UK government plans to amend the Online Safety Act to require tech companies to proactively prevent self-harm content.
This amendment classifies self-harm content as a "priority offence," compelling social media platforms to block it before publication.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stressed the urgency of protecting users from harmful content.
Charities like the Samaritans support the amendment, while critics raise concerns about potential censorship.
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) aims to hold social media companies accountable for children's online safety.

History

Historical Context

The UK's Digital Economy Act, enacted in 2017, aimed to enhance online safety for minors by mandating age verification and oversight by the British Board of Film Classification. This initiative reflects ongoing concerns about harmful online content, echoing earlier legislative efforts like the 1998 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act in the U.S., which sought to protect children from inappropriate material online.

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Story summary

The UK government plans to amend the Online Safety Act to require tech companies to proactively prevent self-harm content.
This amendment classifies self-harm content as a "priority offence," compelling social media platforms to block it before publication.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stressed the urgency of protecting users from harmful content.
Charities like the Samaritans support the amendment, while critics raise concerns about potential censorship.
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) aims to hold social media companies accountable for children's online safety.

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