Ofcom to Review TikTok Child Content Report

A Global Witness investigation found TikTok’s search algorithm recommended highly sexualized search suggestions to accounts set up as 13‑year‑olds on clean phones, even with “restricted mode” enabled. Suggested phrases such as “hardcore pawn clips” and “very very rude skimpy outfits” led within a few clicks to content ranging from simulated masturbation and flashing to explicit penetrative sex, sometimes embedded in innocuous videos to evade moderation. Researchers said they encountered material that appeared to involve under‑16s, reported it to the Internet Watch Foundation, and warned the findings may breach the UK’s Online Safety Act. Ofcom said it will review the report. TikTok said it investigated, removed content that violated its policies, launched improvements to search suggestions, and pointed to more than 50 teen‑focused safety features and its claim to remove nine in 10 violating videos before they are viewed; the report adds to regulatory and legal pressure in the UK and U.S. to strengthen age verification and child protections online.