Technoleg diogelwch

How Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) intend to collaborate in regulating online services.

Mae sgwrsfotiau AI wedi bod yn flaengar yn y newyddion yn ddiweddar. Maent yn offeryn newydd a chynyddol gyffredin y mae rhai pobl yn ei ddefnyddio ar gyfer gwaith, astudio, ymchwil, adloniant neu yn syml ar gyfer sgwrsio.

This page contains details of an online randomised control trial to test different ways to encourage children to choose to use content controls to restrict exposure to harmful content during the sign-up process of a mock social media platform.

This research examines how the presentation of sensitive content settings influence user choices.

Heddiw, mae Ofcom wedi rhoi diweddariad ar ein gweithgaredd gorfodi o dan y Ddeddf Diogelwch Ar-lein.

Mae'r dudalen hon yn amlinellu sut y byddwn weithiau'n defnyddio gwasanaethau ar-lein rheoledig fel rhan o'n gwaith i wneud gwasanaethau ar-lein yn fwy diogel i'r bobl sy'n eu defnyddio.

In this research project, we partnered with the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) to conduct a comprehensive behavioural audit of popular social media and video-sharing platforms (VSPs). This audit, carried out between December 2024 and January 2025, systematically mapped online design practices and assessed their impact on user behaviour and outcomes, focusing on four core areas of interest: 1) sign-up process, 2) features and functionalities affecting time spent online, 3) negative sentiment tools, and 4) reporting.

Many online platforms use verification badges—like the classic ‘blue tick’—but what influence do they have on user behaviour? In this study, we explored how people engage with content from verified vs unverified users.

Content controls help users to tailor their feed to their preferences and reduce exposure to unwanted, potentially sensitive, or distressing content. In this research we tested how small design changes can impact on how much use people make of the content control tools available to them.

These reports outline the findings from a programme of research to explore the potential links between persuasive features on platforms and potential child financial harm. It also provides insight into children’s online spending habits across social sites and apps, video sharing platforms and gaming, and examines the influencing factors and attitudes towards children’s spending in these environments.