UK regulator Ofcom said Thursday that TikTok and YouTube are 'not safe enough' for children, ramping up pressure on the two tech giants as Britain prepares to enforce the Online Safety Act more strictly. The finding sets a new benchmark for child safety on digital platforms — one that could soon extend to crypto platforms operating in the UK.
Ofcom's findings
Ofcom, the UK's communications watchdog, assessed the child safety measures on both platforms and found them lacking. The regulator did not specify which features failed, but the criticism comes as part of a broader push to hold platforms liable for harmful content. The Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, gives Ofcom the power to fine companies up to 10% of global revenue for non-compliance.
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Platforms push back
YouTube said it worked with child safety experts to build age-appropriate experiences. TikTok said it was disappointed Ofcom did not acknowledge its existing safety tools, including parental controls and content filters. Neither platform disputed the regulator's power, but both signaled they would continue to argue their measures are adequate.
A warning for crypto
The real story for crypto isn't about TikTok or YouTube. It's about what comes next. The same law that allows Ofcom to scrutinize social media also covers any platform where users generate content or interact — including exchange chatrooms, NFT marketplaces, and DeFi frontends. If Ofcom decides to enforce age verification and content moderation on those services, compliance costs could spike and user onboarding could get harder, especially for minors.
Algorithmic promotion is another hidden risk. Ofcom's criticism focused on harmful content pushed to kids. That logic applies directly to crypto scams — get-rich-quick schemes, Ponzi-like token promotions — that TikTok and YouTube algorithms have long served to young audiences. If Ofcom mandates algorithmic transparency or bans certain promotional patterns, crypto influencers and projects relying on viral marketing on those platforms could face severe reach reduction.
Ofcom has not said whether it will apply the same standards to crypto platforms. But the legal framework allows it, and the regulator's tone this week suggests it is ready to flex its new powers. For crypto projects operating in the UK, the message is clear: age gates and content moderation are no longer optional. The clock is ticking before the watchdog decides to expand its scope.
