Tech companies are being called upon to combat misogyny online by intensifying efforts to address trolling and toxic abuse targeted at women and girls. Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, endorsed the new guidelines from the media regulator and cautioned social media platforms that they are complicit in fostering environments where sexism thrives if they do not take action.
The recent guidance from Ofcom encourages online platforms to implement “prompts” prompting users to reconsider before posting misogynistic or sexually violent content. It also recommends implementing “timeouts” for users who repeatedly misuse a platform to harass victims. Additionally, social media companies are advised to demonetize posts or videos that promote misogynistic abuse and diversify content in recommendation feeds to counteract “toxic echo” chambers. Platforms are also encouraged to consider setting volume limits on posts to deter mass posting of abusive content in pile-ons.
One of the suggestions is for companies to utilize automated technology like “hash-matching” to identify and remove non-consensual intimate images. However, the guidance is not legally binding, with the online safety organization Internet Matters urging the Government to make it compulsory.
Ms. Kendall emphasized that tech firms possess the means and tools to block and delete online misogyny. She pointed out that failing to act makes them complicit in normalizing abuse against women and girls. She praised Ofcom’s efforts to drive change and called on platforms to take responsibility and utilize all available means to safeguard women and girls online.
Internet Matters’ co-chief executive, Rachel Huggins, acknowledged the strong measures outlined in Ofcom’s guidance to enhance online safety, emphasizing the need for government commitment to combat violence against women and girls by making the guidance a mandatory Code of Practice for tech platforms.
Ofcom highlighted that women in various fields, including sports, politics, and public domains, face constant and widespread online abuse. For instance, Sport England chairman Chris Boardman expressed concerns about the online abuse directed at the England Women’s team during Euro 2025. Rosie Wrighting, Parliament’s youngest female MP, shared her experience of insults like “Barbie” and “stupid girl,” noting how online abuse and safety concerns deter many women from entering politics.
The recently published guidance by Ofcom applies to a variety of service providers, including social media platforms, dating sites, gaming platforms, and pornography sites, urging them to take greater responsibility for protecting users online. The regulator plans to report on individual companies’ progress by summer 2027 and may make formal recommendations to the Government if necessary to strengthen the Online Safety Act.
Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, emphasized the need for tech companies to heed the industry guidance to safeguard female users from the prevalent online risks they face.