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Online Safety Act 2023 (UK): Child Protection Duties, Ofcom Codes, Risk Assessments, Age Assurance and Compliance for User-to-User and Search Services

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Practice notes
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STOP PRESS :

On 29 April 2026, the Crime and Policing Act 2026 obtained Royal Assent. Its passage will bring a series of amendments to the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023), among them the creation of new digital offences. See: LNB News 30/04/2026 21. This Practice Note is impacted by these developments and is currently being revised.

This Practice Note provides practical guidance on child protection obligations under OSA 2023, including the child safety duties in OSA 2023, ss 12 and 29. The child safety duties in OSA 2023, s 12 relate to user-to-user services, while those in OSA 2023, s 29 concern search services (these expressions are elaborated on below).

It also offers commentary on Ofcom’s Protection of Children Code of Practice for user-to-user services and its Protection of Children Code of Practice for search services. Although distinct publications, they are collectively termed in this Practice Note as ‘the Protection of Children Codes of Practice’. The Protection of Children Codes of Practice set out steps to assist in-scope services to meet the child protection duties. This Practice Note further addresses ancillary guidance which is addressed within this Practice Note and described in the sections set out below too...

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Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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