UK Ofcom

UK’s communications regulator Ofcom has released its latest report titled “Children’s User Age Wave 3”, providing crucial insights into the online behavior of children aged 8-17 in the UK. It also calls for concerted efforts to protect young users from online risks. The findings serve as a crucial reminder of the importance of vigilance, education and technological innovation in safeguarding the digital lives of the next generation.

The report builds on previous waves of research conducted in August 2023 and January 2024. The primary objective of this study is to estimate the proportion of children who create online profiles with user ages that make them appear older than their actual age. This is a significant concern as it exposes children to content and features that are not suitable for their age group.