The Global Online Safety Regulators Network (GOSRN) has unveiled an extensive and carefully crafted strategic plan for 2025-2027, marking an important milestone in international collaboration in the realm of online safety regulation. This plan, unveiled during a prominent panel discussion at the Family Online Safety Institute’s (FOSI) annual conference in Washington, DC on December 9, 2025, underscores the network’s vision and ambition to advance shared goals among its members, stakeholders, and observers worldwide.
The Global Online Safety Regulators Network was established in November 2022 and began with four founding members. Presently, the network comprises nine member countries, namely Australia, Ireland, Fiji, France, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Slovakia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Collectively, these countries have a population size comparable to that of the United States, signaling the potential influence and reach of the network. Additionally, GOSRN includes eighteen ‘observer’ organizations spanning six continents. These observers encompass various academic, civil society, NGO, and government entities, such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), the National Media Commission in Ghana, the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, and the Integrity Institute. FOSI itself is one of these observer organizations.
Strategic Priorities for 2025-2027
Building Regulatory Coherence Across Jurisdictions
The strategic document highlights the necessity of fostering coherence because online safety challenges transcend national borders. Hence, harmonizing regulatory approaches ensures more effective regulation. This priority aims to streamline compliance for global firms, making it easier for them to adhere to consistent standards across different countries.
An essential aspect of the strategic plan is the emphasis on regular dialogue, coherent regulatory tools, and the creation of repositories for sharing non-sensitive information and data about online safety regulatory activities. However, the current blueprint does not detail the prospects of joint enforcement activities. Nevertheless, Benoit Loutrel, who chairs French regulator ARCOM’s Supervision of Online Platforms working group, hinted at the scalability of cooperative efforts, proposing that coordinated regulation could establish a balance of power that holds industries accountable.
GOSRN chairperson, Gill Whitehead, a former director of online safety at UK regulator Ofcom, underscored the significance of international regulatory alignment. She emphasized that coherent regulatory frameworks across different countries are essential in streamlining compliance for global firms: “There is so much you can learn from other regulators who have broadly similar powers… the importance of coherence across borders and boundaries is critical,” said Whitehead.
Contributing to the Pool of Evidence Related to Online Safety
Recognizing that the evidence base for online safety regulation is still developing, GOSRN emphasizes the importance of surfacing best practices and expanding the body of knowledge to inform policy decisions. This priority focuses on gathering and sharing data to create a robust foundation for future regulations.
The network acknowledges the value of exchanging information and coordinating efforts to promote compliance with online safety regulations, branding this as one of the most crucial facets of their endeavors. This initiative arrives amid a burgeoning global trend of escalating online safety legislation, evidenced by efforts in countries such as Australia, Fiji, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, and at the regional level with the European Union’s Digital Services Act. This increasing focus demonstrates a global commitment to addressing online safety.
During the FOSI conference, significant discussions centered on Australia’s recent introduction of age-restriction policies for social media. Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, acknowledged the complexity of this regulation and its impact on her office’s operations. She highlighted the importance of industry consultation and the necessity of devising practical implementation strategies in collaboration with stakeholders: “…consultation is going to be our first plan of action.”
Facilitating Information Sharing and Coordination
The Global Online Safety Regulators Network (GOSRN) has launched a comprehensive strategic plan for 2025-2027, marking a significant step in international online safety regulation collaboration. Revealed on December 9, 2025, during the Family Online Safety Institute’s (FOSI) annual conference in Washington, DC, the plan highlights GOSRN’s commitment to shared goals among its worldwide members, stakeholders, and observers.
Formed in November 2022 with four founding members, GOSRN now includes nine countries: Australia, Ireland, Fiji, France, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Slovakia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. These countries collectively have a population size comparable to the United States, emphasizing the network’s global influence. Additionally, GOSRN features eighteen ‘observer’ organizations from six continents, encompassing diverse academic, civil society, NGO, and government groups. Some observers include the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Ghana’s National Media Commission, NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, and the Integrity Institute, with FOSI also among them.
