Ofcom proposes adding body-shaming and depression content to priority harms

UK regulator Ofcom recommended classifying body-shaming content and content that promotes depression as "priority" harmful content under the Online Safety Act. In its survey of 11-17-year-olds, 42% saw body-shaming content and 23% saw depression content, while Ofcom admitted it did not evaluate whether its July 2025 rules work.

• 42% of children aged 11-17 saw body-shaming content, 23% saw depression content
• Search engines were the entry point for 30% of children's visits to porn sites
• YouTube and TikTok declined to change feeds despite Ofcom's demands
• Share of children seeing harmful content via feeds fell from 37% to 35%