Sky News Daily Are there flaws in the new law meant to be keeping kids safe online?
Aug 19, 2025
18:50
Children’s exposure to online porn is higher than ever before. Will new laws designed to keep them safe finally make a difference or end up making matters worse?
Campaigner Ian Russell – whose daughter, Molly, took her own life at the age of 14 after being exposed to harmful content on social media – has criticised sites for still allowing a “tsunami” of inappropriate content to flood the feeds of young users.
Meanwhile, critics say the Online Safety Act has gone too far in curtailing democracy and freedom of speech. So, is the legislation fit for purpose?
On today’s episode, Tamara Cohen speaks to the Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, about what more needs to be done to keep young people safe. Plus, free speech campaigner, Toby Young, argues that parents – rather than the state – should be responsible for what their children view online.
Producer: Emily Hulme
Editor: Mike Bovill
Campaigner Ian Russell – whose daughter, Molly, took her own life at the age of 14 after being exposed to harmful content on social media – has criticised sites for still allowing a “tsunami” of inappropriate content to flood the feeds of young users.
Meanwhile, critics say the Online Safety Act has gone too far in curtailing democracy and freedom of speech. So, is the legislation fit for purpose?
On today’s episode, Tamara Cohen speaks to the Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, about what more needs to be done to keep young people safe. Plus, free speech campaigner, Toby Young, argues that parents – rather than the state – should be responsible for what their children view online.
Producer: Emily Hulme
Editor: Mike Bovill