LONDON, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Britain's media regulator

Ofcom said on Thursday it would detail what action it expected

social media companies to take over illegal content on their

platforms in December, saying it expected swift action or they

would face consequences.

Ofcom, which is responsible for implementing the

government's Online Safety Bill, said the platforms would have

three months to complete their own illegal harms risk

assessments after the publication of its demands.

"The time for talk is over," Ofcom's Chief Executive

Melanie Dawes said on Thursday. "From December, tech firms will

be legally required to start taking action, meaning 2025 will be

a pivotal year in creating a safer life online."

She said the regulator had already seen positive

changes, but expectations were going to be high.

"We'll be coming down hard on those who fall short," she

said.

Ofcom said better protections had already been introduced

by Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, and Snapchat which

have brought in changes to help prevent children being contacted

by strangers.

Britain's new online safety regime, which became law last

year, requires social media companies to tackle the causes of

harm, particularly for children, by making their services safer.

If companies do not comply with the new law, they could

face significant fines and, in the most serious cases, their

services could be blocked in Britain.