Tech companies are under pressure to eliminate online misogyny by intensifying their efforts to combat trolling and toxic abuse directed at women and girls.
Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, has embraced the new guidelines from the media regulator and cautioned social media platforms that they play a role in fostering “sexism” if they do not take action.
Ofcom’s fresh directives advocate for online platforms to incorporate “prompts” that prompt users to reconsider before posting misogynistic or sexually violent content. It also recommends implementing “timeouts” for users who persistently try to exploit a platform to target victims.
Furthermore, Ofcom encourages social media companies to demonetize posts or videos that promote misogynistic abuse and diversify content in recommender feeds to counteract “toxic echo” chambers. Platforms are also advised to consider implementing volume restrictions on posts to deter mass posting of abusive content.
One of the suggestions is for companies to utilize automated technology like “hash-matching” to identify and delete non-consensual intimate images. However, the guidelines are not binding, with the online safety group Internet Matters urging the Government to make them compulsory.
Kendall emphasized that tech firms possess the tools to block and remove online misogyny, and failure to do so implicates them in perpetuating a culture where abuse against women and girls becomes normalized. She commended Ofcom’s efforts and urged platforms to take responsibility and utilize every means to safeguard women and girls online.
Rachel Huggins, co-chief executive at Internet Matters, noted that Ofcom’s guidance contains robust measures to enhance online safety, but they remain recommendations. She urged the Government to transform Ofcom’s guidance into a statutory Code of Practice for tech platforms to enforce the outlined measures.
Ofcom highlighted the prevalence of significant and widespread abuse faced by women in sports, politics, and other public domains online. Sport England’s chairman, Chris Boardman, and Parliament’s youngest female MP, Rosie Wrighting, have raised concerns about the online abuse directed at female figures.
The regulatory body’s guidance, applicable to various providers including social media, gaming, and dating platforms, calls for a greater commitment from these platforms to protect users online. Ofcom plans to assess individual companies’ progress in the summer of 2027 and may propose enhancements to the Online Safety Act if necessary.
Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, emphasized the urgency for tech companies to take action in line with the practical industry guidance to safeguard female users from the real online risks they encounter.