Impact of regulation of children’s digital lives – Phase II
By Steve Wood
Researchers recorded 108 child-safety/privacy design changes across 70 platforms between 2024 and 2026, but only 5 of the platforms contacted directly responded to information requests. The four largest platforms (Meta, Google, TikTok, Snapchat) have shifted away from protective ‘by default’ design changes toward optional end-user tools such as parental controls, reversing the trend identified in the Phase I report.
Executive summary
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Published by the Digital Futures for Children centre (a joint LSE/5Rights Foundation initiative) and authored by researcher Steve Wood, this report is the second phase of a study tracking how the UK Age Appropriate Design Code, UK Online Safety Act, and EU Digital Services Act have shaped platform design for children from 2024 to 2026. Evidence was gathered through direct requests to platforms, public announcements/policy updates, and review of existing effectiveness research. The report concludes that while regulation is driving awareness and new design norms, large platforms are increasingly substituting optional parental-control tools for default protections, and calls for stronger enforcement and a shift toward a ‘product safety’ model for children’s digital experiences.
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