Ofcom launches investigation into TikTok child safety concerns
UK media regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into TikTok's age verification methods, specifically questioning the effectiveness of 'age inference' technology. The probe follows concerns that the platform is failing to adequately protect children from harmful content.
Why it matters
This investigation highlights the growing regulatory pressure on social media companies to implement robust safety measures for minors under the UK's Online Safety Act.
Image source, Getty Images By Liv McMahon Technology reporter Published 16 July 2026, 08:04 BST Updated 26 minutes ago An investigation has been launched into whether TikTok is doing enough to keep children off its platform.
The probe by media regulator Ofcom comes a month after the UK government announced that under-16's would be banned entirely from a range of platforms .
Ofcom will examine how the video-sharing app assesses if a user is a child and whether it has adequate systems to prevent children from viewing harmful content.
"We're confident that we meet our Online Safety Act obligations and will work with Ofcom to demonstrate it," a TikTok spokesperson said.
It follows a review by regulator in May which criticised the platform for not being "safe enough" for children and called for stronger action on children's online safety.
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