Ofcom could get new powers to regulate 'harmful' social media content

Ofcom could be given the power to fine social media companies in a bid to protect youngsters from "harmful" content online.

The regulator does not currently have the ability to take action over material on websites like Facebook and YouTube, but the government is considering expanding its remit beyond more traditional media.

Earlier this year, the Home Office and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) drew up proposals on online harms that would see social media firms become legally required to protect users, with bosses potentially held personally liable if they do not comply.

It was suggested that a new body could be set up to issue fines or even block access to certain websites, but for now the government has proposed giving Ofcom "interim powers" to regulate "video-sharing platform services".

The DCMS said the move would allow the UK to meet its obligations to the EU regarding online safety, which members must have complied with by September 2020.

A spokesman said: "The directive proposed a number of appropriate measures to protect minors and the general public from harmful content.

"The government has proposed that Ofcom is given interim powers to regulate video-sharing platform services and ensure they comply with minimum standards set out in the AVMSD (Audiovisual Media Services Directive) by the transposition deadline - 19 September 2020. We are currently consulting on this approach."

Ofcom has said it is ready to take on the extra responsibility.

At the moment it focuses on regulating broadcast media including television and radio, as well as monitoring the supply of broadband, landline and mobile phone services.

"These new rules are an important first step in regulating video-sharing online, and we'll work closely with the government to implement them," said a spokesman.

"We also support plans to go further and legislate for a wider set of protections, including a duty of care for online companies towards their users."

In future, the DCMS said UK-specific legislation with "wider scope" than the EU directive was being planned, which could come into force after Brexit.

An entirely new regulator could replace Ofcom under an Online Harms bill, the DCMS said.

Sky News has contacted Facebook and Google over the proposals.

Facebook owns Instagram, which has been found to host graphic images of self-harm - the type of which are believed to have contributed to teenager Molly Russell taking her own life.

Sir Nick Clegg, the former deputy prime minister who joined Facebook last October, has previously welcomed calls for online platforms to be more closely regulated by governments.

He said earlier this summer that the social network plans to set up an independent oversight board to which people can appeal against content decisions made by its own moderators, but admitted it needed help.

Sir Nick, who is now head of Facebook's global affairs and communications team, said: "It would be a much easier task, as well as a more democratically sound one, if some of the sensitive decisions we have to make were instead taken by people who are democratically accountable to the people at large, rather than by a private company."

Back in June, a Sky News investigation found Google has been directing people towards extreme content, including misinformation and conspiracy theories, by placing YouTube videos prominently in its search results.