Platforms Face Stricter Rules on Self-Harm Content Under UK Online Regulation

The change would elevate self-harm material to the same category as terrorism and child abuse content.

File photograph of a child using a laptop computer, on May 26, 2022. Dominic Lipinski/PA Media

The UK government will compel online platforms to proactively detect and remove self-harm content before it reaches users, under the Online Safety Act.

The Online Safety Act (OSA) already required platforms to remove illegal content, including certain forms of suicide and self-harm encouragement, once they were aware of it.