“We are saddened but unsurprised by the fact that the Online Safety Act has failed to keep children safe online.
We have already intercepted over 5,000 searches for suicide and self-harm-related content in 2026 alone, highlighting that both the supply and the demand for these dangerous online materials are rising.
Children and young people are not just stumbling upon harmful materials on social media; they are able to find content that advises them, helps them and encourages them to self-harm and take their own lives with a single click in a search engine.
Ofcom is being let down by a weak Online Safety Act that does not give it the legal powers to take down websites that house harmful content. We have seen websites fundraising via cryptocurrency to carry on operating should a hefty fine be issued, meaning that creators of harmful content are not afraid of the powers Ofcom currently holds.
The government must urgently re-evaluate the Online Safety Act and arm Ofcom with substantial jurisdiction to address the proliferation of harmful content.”
Alice Hendy MBE, Founder and CEO, Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity