Ofcom: Online safety watchdog launches new industry guidance demanding tech firms deliver online safety for women and girls | Football News

Online safety watchdog, Ofcom, has launched new industry guidelines requiring technology companies to provide a safer online experience for women and girls in the UK.

A new five-point plan will help drive change and ensure technology companies are held accountable. This includes ensuring compliance with their legal duties under the Online Safety Act, promoting industry rules, meeting with companies for close oversight, publicly reporting on progress, and highlighting live experience.

The companies will also consider introducing prompts asking users to reconsider before posting harmful content, imposing timeouts for those who repeatedly attempt to abuse or target victims, and demonetizing posts that promote misogyny and sexual violence.

The guidelines were developed based on the insights of victims, survivors, safety experts, women’s advocacy groups, and organizations working with men and boys.

Research found that female footballers were 29% more likely to be targeted online than their male counterparts during the recent World Cup finals.

Nearly 70% of boys ages 11-14 have been exposed to online content that promotes misogyny and other harmful viewpoints, and 73% of Gen Z social media users have experienced misogynistic content online.

The revenge porn helpline found that 98% of reported intimate images were of women, and 99% of highly faked intimate images depicted women.

Sport England and WSL football Club welcomed the guidance and called for better protection for female athletes on social media.

Dame Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive of Ofcom, said: “When I listen to women and girls who have been abused online, their stories are absolutely shocking. Survivors describe how a single image shared without their consent shattered their sense of self and safety. Journalists, politicians and athletes face relentless trolling as they do their work.”

“No woman should think twice about expressing herself online, or worry about an attacker tracking her location.

“That’s why today we’re sending a clear message to technology companies to step up and act in line with our practical industry guidance, to protect their users from the very real risks they face online today.

“With continued support from campaigners, advocacy groups and expert partners, we will hold companies to account and set a new standard for online safety for women and girls in the UK.”

Chris Boardman, head of Sport England, added: “Toxic abuse online has terrible effects offline. As women’s sport grows, so does the abuse of its stars, and this affects women from all walks of life.”

“This girl can Research shows us that for many women and girls, fear of judgment is a huge barrier to playing sport – and the horrific abuse of our athletes is making it worse.

“Hard-won gains in women’s sport must not be destroyed by misogyny, so we support Ofcom to protect the participation of women and girls.”

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