This chapter presents a critical analysis of the UK’s online safety ecosystem, arguing that it has devolved into a safeguarding dystopia. Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the chapter explores how disjointed interactions between policy makers, educational institutions, social services, and the media create a system that fails to meet the nuanced needs of young people. Through case studies, including incidents of victim-blaming and overreliance on punitive measures for teen sexting, the chapter demonstrates that the ecosystem prioritizes prohibitive and reactionary responses over empathetic, evidence-based support. By focusing narrowly on legislative and policy measures at the macrosystem level, stakeholders often neglect essential support within the microsystem and mesosystem, exacerbating mistrust among young people and diminishing their willingness to disclose online harms. Ultimately, the chapter advocates for a paradigm shift towards youth-centred approaches that prioritize supportive, informed engagement across all levels of the ecosystem to genuinely protect and empower young people online.