The Global Online Safety Regulators Network (GOSRN) has released its ambitious three-year strategic plan for 2025–2027 to address the growing challenges of online safety regulation. This initiative, developed by independent online safety regulators, aims to enhance regulatory coherence, promote compliance, and protect the online safety of internet users globally. With members from six continents, GOSRN represents a collective effort to share expertise, coordinate actions, and tackle online safety issues that transcend borders.
In this article, we’ll delve into the strategic priorities, challenges, and opportunities outlined in the GOSRN strategic plan and what this means for platforms, policymakers, and users worldwide.
What Is the Global Online Safety Regulators Network (GOSRN)?
Founded in November 2022, the Global Online Safety Regulators Network is a collaborative forum that brings together regulators, observers, and policymakers to tackle online safety issues. The network’s mission is to establish regulatory coherence and coordination across jurisdictions, ensuring that the online safety of internet users is upheld regardless of borders.
Key Objectives of GOSRN:
- Develop regulatory coherence across jurisdictions to promote seamless enforcement.
- Strengthen the evidence base for online safety regulation.
- Foster information sharing to enable regulators to learn from each other.
- Hold platforms accountable for ensuring user safety, especially in cases of systemic harm.
Membership and Global Reach
The network’s members include regulators from countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, Fiji, and Australia. Observers like the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) provide valuable perspectives from civil society, government, and academia.
Overview of the Three-Year Strategic Plan (2025–2027)
The GOSRN strategic plan for 2025–2027 focuses on three thematic priorities:
1. Building Regulatory Coherence Across Jurisdictions
The strategic plan emphasizes the need to develop regulatory coherence across jurisdictions. By aligning online safety regulatory frameworks, GOSRN seeks to:
- Facilitate compliance for global platforms.
- Promote economies of scale by reducing redundancies in regulatory processes.
- Ensure that the safety of internet users in our respective countries does not stop ‘at the border.’
2. Strengthening the Evidence Base for Online Safety Regulation
A robust evidence base is crucial for designing effective regulatory tools and practices. The GOSRN’s approach includes:
- Collecting data on users’ experiences on platforms.
- Surfacing best practices to guide new and emerging regulators.
- Leveraging insights to address risks such as cross-border harm and systemic exploitation.
3. Facilitating Information Sharing and Coordination
Information sharing is described by GOSRN as one of the most valuable parts of their work. The plan outlines steps to:
- Deepen understanding of users’ experiences.
- Build a regulatory index to standardize safety benchmarks.
- Strengthen the capacity to hold platforms accountable for ensuring user safety.
Challenges in Achieving Online Safety Goals
Cross-Border Enforcement
One of the greatest challenges for independent online safety regulators is achieving coordination across jurisdictions with differing laws. This requires:
- Harmonizing national frameworks to ensure regulatory coherence.
- Establishing agreements to address risks of cross-border harm or instances of systemic non-compliance.
Balancing Privacy with Accountability
Platforms face increasing scrutiny to uphold user privacy while being held accountable for ensuring user safety. For example:
- Encrypted services must address risks like exploitation without undermining security.
- Innovations such as on-device monitoring tools are being explored.
How Technology Supports the Strategic Plan
Technological advancements are central to implementing the GOSRN’s strategic plan. The network will continue to leverage tech-driven solutions such as:
| Technology | Use in Online Safety Regulation |
| AI-Powered Tools | Detect harmful content, especially in real time. |
| Regulatory Index Platforms | Compare safety standards and track progress across jurisdictions. |
| Data Analytics | Analyze trends and deepen the understanding of users’ experiences on platforms. |
By integrating these tools, GOSRN aims to facilitate compliance and promote information sharing at scale.
Opportunities for Collaboration
The Role of the Regulatory Index
The regulatory index introduced by GOSRN provides a standardized approach to:
- Compare the effectiveness of regulatory tools.
- Identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
Sharing Expertise Across Sectors
Through its working groups and partnerships, GOSRN encourages stakeholders to share experiences and collaborate. This includes contributions from:
- Policymakers developing safety laws.
- Civil society organizations advocating for human rights and online protections.
Practical Recommendations for Stakeholders
The GOSRN strategic plan offers actionable steps for regulators, platforms, and governments:
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For Regulators:
- Build on existing frameworks to align with global safety standards.
- Use the regulatory index to identify areas of improvement.
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For Platforms:
- Implement safety by design principles in product development.
- Collaborate with regulators to address online safety issues proactively.
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For Governments:
- Support independent online safety regulators with resources and funding.
- Foster international agreements to ensure seamless cross-border enforcement.
The Future of Online Safety Regulation
The Global Online Safety Regulators Network is set to lead global efforts in addressing online safety issues. By focusing on:
- Expanding the evidence base for online safety regulation,
- Strengthening regulatory coherence and coordination, and
- Scaling the regulatory index
The GOSRN aims to create a safer digital ecosystem for all.
Conclusion
The three-year strategic plan by the Global Online Safety Regulators Network provides a roadmap to tackle the challenges of online safety regulation on a global scale. Through coordination, sharing expertise, and leveraging technology, the GOSRN is working to ensure that the online safety of internet users is upheld, regardless of borders.
Stakeholders must unite to support this initiative and create a digital world where safety is a priority.
