UK regulators must unite to close gaps in digital regulations 

In response to the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum call for input on its 2025-26 workplan, we urge UK regulators to prioritise closing regulatory gaps that pose immediate and material risks of harm to children. 

The UK’s Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum (DRCF), consisting of 4 regulators with responsibilities to regulate digital services – Ofcom, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), recently launched a call for input into its 2025-26 workplan. The workplan sets out how the regulators will collaborate at intersections of digital regulation in the coming years. 

In our response, we set out five recommendations for the workplan that stress the urgency of addressing gaps in regulatory regimes, where there is little regulation or clarity. In particular, we note that more action must be taken to address immediate risks of harm children face from EdTech and AI. Earlier this year, 5Rights uncovered inaction by Meta to tackle the spread of AI-generated Child Sexual Abuse Material on Instagram. 

Other recommendations for the DRCF in our response also include ensuring that overlapping regulations ensure the highest possible standards for children, aligning with and leading global initiatives for children’s privacy and safety online, as well as implementing frameworks and standards that encourage industry investment best practice. 

A harmonised, clear and coherent approach to digital regulation isn’t just desirable – it is crucial to protecting children online. Therefore, effective coordination among regulators where their remits overlap is vital to ensuring children’s rights are respected in the digital world.