An Ofcom report has found that UK video-sharing sites are not doing enough to protect children from seeing harmful content.
Some sites do currently have measures in place to protect users, including TikTok, streaming channel Twitch and Snapchat, but more needs to be done.
It highlighted that the risk assessment of online platforms should be a priority.
Financial penalties could be imposed on sites that do not implement age verification measures, warned the regulator, with the report marking increased involvement by Ofcom in online sites that will be formalised by the Online Safety Bill.
As a result of the bill, Ofcom will be given more power to make sites and apps introduce measures to ensure user safety.
Adult sites were also targeted in the report, with many found to have not yet implemented age checks for users.
OnlyFans, the UK’s largest adult site, has introduced age verification in response to regulation, according to Ofcom.
Research concluded that 81% of internet users would not mind providing their age online, stemming concern raised by sites about potential lost revenue caused by such checks.
Ofcom CEO, Dane Melanie Dawes said: “Today’s report is a world first. We’ve used our powers to lift the lid on what UK video sites are doing to look after the people who use them.
"It shows that regulation can make a difference, as some companies have responded by introducing new safety measures, including age verification and parental controls.”
In a separate report, Ofgem found that 70% of video-sharing platform (VSP) users had seen content that could potentially cause harm, with 21% reporting racist content and 26% highlighting abuse or bullying.