The Tech Shock Podcast - Anna-Sophie Harling and Caroline Cason
09 Jan, 2023
2 minute read

The Tech Shock Podcast - Anna-Sophie Harling and Caroline Cason

Vicki and Geraldine are joined this week by Ofcom’s Anna-Sophie Harling (Ash) and Caroline Cason. They’ll be covering Ofcom’s upcoming role as online regulator, as well as what age verification might actually look like in practice.

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The group begins by discussing Ofcom’s function in overseeing video sharing platforms (VSPs) – a bracket which includes Twitter, Snapchat, and Twitch. Now, Ash explains, Ofcom has the formal powers to both gather information and to properly assess platform safety.

Moving on to recent research into age verification, the group considers how easily children can navigate current restrictions, and what more can (or needs to be) done. Is third-party age-verification the answer? Should age ratings for some platforms simply be higher in the first place? Or will parents’ choices be the real deciding factor in effective age-gating? 

On the topic of widespread age-related restrictions, the group asks whether we should expect this policy to shift – much like with seatbelt mandates – from a source of frustration to second nature or, as Vicki asks, are road safety analogies too simple for online safety?

The proactivity of large companies – like the introduction of Snapchat’s ‘Family Center’ – is also called into question. Do additional controls mean anything if parents either don’t know they exist, or don’t engage with them meaningfully? 

The group closes conversation by considering the Online Safety Bill, the likelihood (in the eyes of Ash and Nat) of it being passed, and whether we are, finally, moving in a direction where regulation measures have some teeth.

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Join us next week, where Vicki and Geraldine will be in conversation with Natalia Kurcikova, professor of reading and children’s development at the Open University. They’ll be discussing the future of digital children’s books, and whether this future is likely to be one of benefits, or one of pitfalls.

More of our Tech Shock Podcast

Ofcom's blog: how old is your child online?