Ofcom Call for Evidence: Content Harmful to Children
Charlotte Aynsley, MaryKate Boggan, Andrew Zack March 16, 2026
FOSI submitted comments to Ofcom’s March 2026 call for evidence on content harmful to children. Drawing on findings from our research on adolescent wellbeing, this response explores both the benefits and risks of young people’s digital experiences, including impacts on sleep, emotional health, and body image.
The submission also addresses the classification of harmful content and highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping online safety risks. FOSI encourages a balanced policy approach that continues to address harmful content while supporting digital literacy and healthy online habits for children and families.
Charlotte Aynsley
Charlotte has a broad range of experience in the field of digital safeguarding - for 10 years she led Becta's advice and support to Government, local authorities and schools on keeping children safe online. She also worked with Dr Tanya Byron on her review of Safer Children in a Digital World - leading the implementation and co-ordination of the education recommendations in the Review as part of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS).
MaryKate Boggan
MaryKate Boggan is the European Digital Safety Policy Fellow at the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI). She is an MSc student in Education, Children, and Youth at University College Dublin’s School of Social Sciences and Law, where she specializes in children’s rights and digital participation. MaryKate contributes to policy analysis and stakeholder engagement related to online safety, children’s rights, and digital education. In her role, she supports FOSI’s mission by helping shape child-centered, evidence-informed policies that promote safer online environments for young people.