The number of children using TikTok and Snapchat rose last year in Britain, according to research published by media regulator Ofcom.
Around half of those aged between three and 17 use TikTok and Snapchat, figures collected as part of the watchdog’s annual survey of children’s and parents’ online attitudes showed.
The study found a slight increase in both apps’ popularity in the past year, with TikTok now being used by 53% of children (up from 50%), and Snapchat by 46% (up from 42%).
Both companies have faced mounting pressure over user safety in recent months.
More than 30 US states, Canada, UK and European Union institutions have banned TikTok from official devices, citing security concerns. US lawmakers are moving forward with a proposed bill to ban TikTok over its Chinese ties.
Snapchat has been criticised for multiple instances of people grooming underage girls on Snapchat.
Ofcom’s annual report on attitudes towards media found children’s usage of YouTube, Whatsapp and Instagram remained steady at 88%, 55% and 41%, respectively, while the popularity of Facebook declined from 40% to 34%.
‘Children of all ages reported choosing to watch “dramatic” content in various forms when selecting TV shows and films to watch,’ said the report.
Ofcom also found the proportion of 3 and 4-year-olds using Snapchat had risen to 17% in 2022, up from 12% the previous year.
TikTok said last week it was ‘disappointed’ by the moves to ban it which was based ‘on fundamental misconceptions and driven by wider geopolitics’.
A Snap spokesperson said criticism of its record on underage users misrepresented its efforts, saying it blocks and deletes tens of thousands of attempts by underage UK users to create Snapchat accounts monthly.
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What is Ofcom and what does it cover?
Ofcom is the regulator for the communications services that we use and rely on each day.
The watchdog makes sure people get the best from their broadband, home phone and mobile services, as well as keeping an eye on TV and radio.
Ofcom deals with most content on television, radio and video-on-demand services, including the BBC. However, if your complaint is about something you saw or heard in a BBC programme, you may need to complain to the BBC first.
Its rules for television and radio programmes are set out in the Broadcasting Code.
The rules in the Broadcasting Code also apply to the BBC iPlayer.
This Broadcasting Code is the rule book that broadcasters have to follow and it covers a number of areas, including; protecting the under-18s, protecting audiences from harmful and/or offensive material and ensuring that news, in whatever form, is reported with due accuracy and presented with due impartiality.
Audiences can complain to Ofcom if they believe a breach of the Broadcasting Code has been made.
Every time Ofcom receives a complaint from a viewer or listener, they assess it to see if it needs further investigation.
If Ofcom decide to investigate, they will include the case in a list of new investigations, published in the Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin.
An investigation is a formal process which can take some time depending on the complexity of the issues involved.
Ofcom can also launch investigations in the absence of a complaint from a viewer or listener.
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