Overview

This Online Safety Bill aims to enhance online safety for children and young people by requiring internet service providers, mobile phone operators, and electronic device manufacturers to implement measures to filter adult content and provide safety information. It also mandates parental education on online safety and strengthens regulation of harmful material in on-demand programming.

Description

This bill introduces several key provisions:

Part 1: Internet Services and Mobile Phones

• Adult Content Filtering: Internet service providers and mobile operators must provide services that exclude adult content unless the subscriber explicitly opts in, is 18 or older, and the provider uses an OFCOM-approved age verification scheme.
• OFCOM's Role: OFCOM is tasked with setting and reviewing standards for filtering adult content, age verification schemes, and content filtering by age or subject category. They must consult relevant parties and handle complaints.
• Content Filtering on Devices: Electronic device manufacturers must provide customers with a means to filter internet content at an age-appropriate level.
• Safety Information: Internet providers and mobile operators must provide clear, accessible online safety information to customers.
• Parental Education: The Secretary of State for Education must educate parents about online safety measures, including filtering and protecting children from online risks.

Part 2: On-Demand Programme Services

• Age Verification for Harmful Material: On-demand services must use age verification to ensure that individuals accessing harmful material are 18 or older.
• Payment Restrictions: Authorities can direct financial institutions to prevent payments to providers who fail to prevent children's access to harmful material, even if the provider is outside UK jurisdiction.

Government Spending

The bill's financial impact on government spending is not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, costs would likely arise from OFCOM's increased regulatory responsibilities and the Secretary of State's parental education initiatives. Specific figures are unavailable.

Groups Affected

• Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Required to implement adult content filtering and provide safety information, potentially incurring costs.
• Mobile Phone Operators: Similar requirements to ISPs regarding filtering and information provision.
• Electronic Device Manufacturers: Must incorporate content filtering capabilities into their devices.
• Parents: Will receive educational resources about online safety.
• Children and Young People: Intended primary beneficiaries, experiencing enhanced online protection.
• On-Demand Programme Providers: Subject to stricter age verification and potential payment restrictions for harmful content.
• Financial Institutions: May face restrictions on transactions with providers of harmful online content.
• OFCOM: Takes on a significantly expanded regulatory role.

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