Ofcom has launched a formal investigation into whether TikTok is doing enough to stop children using its platform and to protect them from harmful content. The probe, announced on 16 July 2026, focuses on TikTok's use of a method called "age inference" – technology that estimates a user's age based on signals like the videos they watch or who they interact with. The regulator says it has "serious doubts" about whether this approach can be "highly effective" at correctly determining if a user is a child, as required by the UK's Online Safety Act (OSA). TikTok insists it meets its obligations and has invested "billions" in safety since launching in the UK eight years ago. But Ofcom's investigation could lead to fines of up to £18 million or 10% of the company's qualifying worldwide revenue, and in serious cases the regulator can apply to have sites blocked or restricted in the UK.
The core issue is age verification – how platforms confirm a user is old enough to access their service. Under the OSA's children's codes, which took effect on 25 July 2025, sites that host adult content like pornography must use methods such as face scans to check a UK visitor is over 18. Social media platforms, including TikTok, are also required to use "highly effective" systems to prevent children from seeing harmful material, which includes posts about disordered eating, self-harm, suicide, and pornography. Ofcom had previously criticised TikTok in May 2026 for not being "safe enough" for children, and the new investigation is part of a broader clampdown on sites failing to protect minors. The UK government has also announced a social media ban for under-16s, set to be launched early next year, which will increase scrutiny on how tech companies verify ages.
“Explains Ofcom's investigation into TikTok's age checks and child safety under the Online Safety Act.”
TikTok currently requires users to enter their date of birth when creating an account, and says it uses technology that looks at information or "signals" to check for indicators that someone may not meet the minimum age requirement. But Ofcom has questioned whether this age inference is accurate enough. Kate Davies, Ofcom's group director for strategy and research, told the BBC's Today programme: "We found that some method of age checks being used by social media are not working well enough." The regulator estimates that a significant proportion of children may be incorrectly identified as adults, putting them at risk. TikTok is not alone in using age inference – Instagram also uses similar technology – but the investigation signals that regulators are stepping up enforcement across the industry.
For UK readers, this matters because it directly affects the safety of children online. Ofcom has already had to take action against dozens of adult sites over non-compliance, issuing large fines. The regulator also found that 64 out of the top 100 most popular pornography services in the UK had deployed age assurance by June 2026, but that people are using search engines to find sites without checks – with 33% of first-page Google results and 54% of Bing results pointing to sites lacking age verification. The TikTok investigation shows that social media platforms are now under the same microscope. If the regulator finds TikTok in breach, it could set a precedent for how all platforms must check ages, potentially forcing them to adopt more robust methods like facial age estimation or official ID checks.
Q: What is age inference? Age inference is a technology that estimates a user's age based on their online behaviour – such as the videos they watch, the accounts they follow, or other engagement patterns – rather than asking for official documents. Ofcom has "serious doubts" about whether it can be considered "highly effective" as required by the Online Safety Act.
Q: Why is Ofcom investigating TikTok? Ofcom is investigating whether TikTok has failed to use age assurance that is "highly effective" at correctly determining if a user is a child, and whether it has adequate systems to prevent children from viewing harmful content like suicide, self-harm, and pornography. The investigation follows a May 2026 review that criticised TikTok for not being safe enough for children.
Q: What penalties could TikTok face? If found in breach, TikTok could be fined up to £18 million or 10% of its qualifying worldwide revenue – whichever is greater. In the most serious cases, Ofcom can also apply to have TikTok blocked or restricted in the UK.
What happens next: Ofcom's investigation is ongoing and has not reached any conclusions. TikTok says it will cooperate and demonstrate compliance. The UK government is preparing to launch a social media ban for under-16s early next year, which will further tighten age-check requirements. Separately, Meta announced on 16 July 2026 that it is adding new features to alert parents and emergency services if children discuss suicide or self-harm with its AI chatbots on Instagram and Facebook – a move that reflects the growing pressure on tech firms to protect young users.