Ofcom Rolls Out Online Safety Guidelines to Tackle Online Sexism, Threatens Name-and-Shame for Noncompliance

Ofcom has unveiled a package of online safety guidelines aimed at reducing harassment of women and girls and making it easier to report abuse. The watchdog stresses these steps are voluntary and not legally binding, relying on platforms to respond to public pressure.

Critics say that without a mandatory code of practice, platforms may drag their feet. Andrea Simon, executive director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, argues for enforceable rules to drive real progress.

Influencer Demi Brown told INLIBER that she has faced sustained abuse online about her body and appearance. She says blocking is not enough and that online spaces should feel safe for authentic self-expression.

What the guidelines ask platforms to do

• put all account privacy settings in one accessible place
• de-monetise content depicting sexual violence
• allow abusive comments to be reported in batches rather than one by one

Ofcom chief Dame Melanie Dawes says the plan is a collection of small steps that add up to a safer online space, and transparency will push platforms to act more decisively.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall noted that tech firms have the tools to block and remove misogyny, with the Online Safety Act guiding enforcement.

The guidance builds on existing codes and the Online Safety Act, which became law in 2023, though some campaigners say more is needed to protect people online.

Sahra-Aisha Muhammad-Jones, who founded a running club for Muslim women in east London, says negative messages and comments can deter younger women from online participation. Despite building a positive community, she still does not feel safe online.

She told INLIBER that, despite her online community, safety concerns persist and that the online space can be both empowering and threatening.

Some just won’t care

Baroness Nicky Morgan told INLIBER Radio 4's Today programme that it has been a long battle to reach this point, and that guidelines without legal force are disappointing. She warned that some platforms may adopt the guidance while others ignore it.

The debate over enforcement continues as Ofcom has issued only a handful of fines so far for Online Safety Act breaches. One platform, 4Chan, has challenged a £20,000 penalty in court in the US.

Walking a tightrope

Ofcom seeks to balance safety with free speech while dealing with US-based owners of the UK's most popular networks. The national conversation around regulation has involved discussions about global rules and the power of tech platforms.

Sport figures such as Jess Carter and Katie Boulter have spoken about online abuse affecting participation and well-being. Experts say the same tools used for targeting ads could be repurposed to curb harassment at the source, not just after the fact.

Sign up for INLIBER's Tech Decoded newsletter to stay on top of the latest tech stories. Outside the UK? Sign up here.

Key Takeaways

• Ofcom's guidelines aim to simplify reporting and curb online misogyny but lack binding legal force.
• Advocates call for a mandatory code of practice to compel platform action.
• The enforcement debate includes fines and potential penalties, illustrating regulatory ambiguity.

Expert comment: A policy expert welcomed the focus on accountability but warned that voluntary measures alone may not shift platform behavior without enforceable rules and penalties.

Summary

In short, Ofcom's guidelines advance the push for safer online spaces, yet the success of this approach hinges on whether platforms face binding obligations. Victims deserve stronger protection, and regulators must align incentives with real enforcement. The conversation continues as technology firms balance profits with public safety.

Key insight: Without enforceable rules, platforms may not fully change their approach to online sexism. Source: BBC News