Age Checks Are Making a Difference – But Protecting Children Online Requires More Than Technology
Ofcom has published its latest Use of Age Assurance Report 2026, revealing that age checks are now being used on an unprecedented scale across online platforms. More than 69 million age checks were completed across a sample of 32 services during the second half of 2025, a 23-fold increase compared with the previous six months. The report suggests that age assurance is beginning to reduce children's exposure to harmful online content, but Ofcom is clear: the job is far from finished.
For safeguarding professionals, this is encouraging news but it is certainly not a reason to become complacent. Protecting children online has never depended on a single solution.
Progress Worth Celebrating
The introduction of the Online Safety Act has significantly raised expectations on technology companies. Platforms are now expected to take greater responsibility for understanding who is using their services and preventing children from accessing harmful content such as pornography, self-harm material and other age-inappropriate experiences. The increase in age checks demonstrates that the industry is beginning to respond.
For many years, safeguarding professionals have argued that the burden of online safety should not rest solely with parents, schools and young people.
Technology providers also have a responsibility to design safer digital environments. This report suggests that meaningful progress is being made.
Technology Is Only One Layer of Protection
However, Ofcom also warns that many platforms still need to strengthen their protections. The regulator highlights that some age assurance methods remain insufficiently effective and that technology companies must continue improving how they identify children and prevent access to harmful content.
Safeguarding leaders should view this as an important reminder. Age assurance is a protective measure, not a complete safeguarding solution.
Children continue to face risks including:
Online grooming.
Sextortion.
Child sexual exploitation.
Cyberbullying.
Harmful algorithms.
Technology-facilitated abuse.
Exposure to misinformation and extremist content.
None of these risks disappear simply because a platform introduces stronger age checks.
Digital Safeguarding Must Continue to Evolve
Technology changes faster than most safeguarding policies. Artificial intelligence, encrypted messaging, live streaming, immersive gaming environments and anonymous communication continue to create new opportunities for both positive engagement and exploitation.
Organisations therefore need to ensure their safeguarding practice evolves alongside technological change.
This means regularly reviewing:
Online safety policies.
Staff training.
Digital risk assessments.
Reporting procedures.
Filtering and monitoring arrangements.
Education for children, young people and parents.
Safeguarding should never be viewed as a one-off conversation.
The Importance of Digital Resilience
One of the strongest forms of protection remains education. Children and young people need more than restrictions, they need the knowledge and confidence to navigate online spaces safely.
Professionals should continue helping children understand:
healthy online relationships
privacy and consent
recognising manipulation and grooming
reporting inappropriate content
seeking trusted support when something doesn't feel right.
Building digital resilience is just as important as implementing digital safeguards.
What Should Organisations Be Asking?
The latest report offers an opportunity for leaders to reflect on their own practice.
Consider asking:
Does our safeguarding training reflect current online risks?
Are staff confident in recognising technology-enabled abuse?
Do children know where to seek help?
Are parents receiving appropriate guidance?
Have our online safety policies kept pace with recent legislative and technological developments?
Strong safeguarding organisations are proactive rather than reactive.
Closing Thoughts
The rapid growth in age assurance is a positive step forward and demonstrates that meaningful regulation can drive change across the technology sector but safeguarding professionals know that protecting children online requires far more than age verification. It requires collaboration between technology companies, regulators, education providers, parents, carers and safeguarding professionals. Most importantly, it requires a continued commitment to creating digital environments where children can explore, learn and connect safely.
At RLB, we support organisations to strengthen their digital safeguarding culture through practical training, policy reviews and consultancy, helping leaders stay ahead of emerging risks in an increasingly connected world.
Resources
Read Ofcom's full announcement and report here