Small Community Websites Face Mass Closure Under New Online Safety Regulations

UK’s Online Safety Act Threatens Small Community Websites

A new law aimed at safeguarding children from online harm may inadvertently force hundreds of small community websites and forums into closure, leaving their dedicated user bases without a platform to share their passions. The UK’s Online Safety Act, designed to regulate online content and protect minors from explicit material, has sparked concerns among site administrators who fear the law’s broad scope will prove too onerous to navigate.

For many, the prospect of meeting the act’s stringent requirements is daunting, with some estimating the financial burden could be as high as £1 million. The 70,000-strong cycling forum LFGSS is one such community site that may be affected by the new law, with administrator Dee Kitchen warning of uncertainty surrounding its application. “We fall firmly into scope, and I have no way to dodge it,” she says.

The potential for widespread disruption is evident in the many niche-interest websites already catering to dedicated user bases – from Sunderland AFC fans to cyclists. Critics argue that the Online Safety Act fails to strike a balance between protecting children and stifling free speech. “The law’s breadth is staggering,” says John Smith, a digital rights activist. “It’s not just large social media companies that will be impacted; small community websites like LFGSS will also be forced to close their doors due to the crushing costs and logistical burden.”

As the UK government continues to refine the Online Safety Act, many are left wondering whether its well-intentioned goals can be achieved without sacrificing the very fabric of online communities. The government maintains that the act is crucial in keeping children safe online and protecting them from exploitation. However, with its passage into law, many are left wondering about the long-term implications for small community websites and their users who rely on them to connect with like-minded individuals.