Government Launches Major Consultation on Children's Online Safety with AI Chatbot Focus
The UK government has announced a comprehensive consultation on improving children's online safety and wellbeing, with particular attention on the emerging risks associated with artificial intelligence chatbots. The initiative, scheduled to launch next week, will gather expert opinions on potential dangers linked to increasingly sophisticated conversational AI systems.
Emotional Dependencies with AI Systems
A spokesperson for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) confirmed on Saturday that the consultation will specifically examine how young people might develop emotionally dependent relationships with AI chatbots. As these systems become more lifelike, growing numbers of children are turning to chatbots as companions, raising concerns about psychological impacts.
"Emerging research has warned that vulnerable young people could be at risk of becoming entangled in emotionally dependent relationships with some chatbots," the DSIT spokesperson explained. "In particular, they may disclose intimate thoughts, and attribute qualities like empathy and care to AI systems."
The consultation will invite views on whether certain features of AI technology, including its realism and ability to mimic human relationships, may pose specific risks to children. The effects of these interactions are not yet fully understood, prompting government action to investigate potential safeguards.
Broader Online Safety Concerns
Beyond AI chatbots, the consultation will consider other digital tools and their potential dangers to young users. These include direct messaging platforms, stranger-pairing applications, and live streaming services. Recent Ofcom research reveals that 57% of UK children aged three to seventeen have used livestreaming apps or websites, with usage increasing to approximately 80% among teenagers aged thirteen to fifteen.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the comprehensive nature of the initiative: "Children's lives online aren't just affected by what they see on social media, they spend time across a whole range of online spaces, each carrying its own risks. That's why we're launching the most ambitious consultation of its kind, looking at a sweep of measures to make every part of children's online lives safer."
Potential Measures and Industry Response
The DSIT indicated that mandatory overnight curfews to improve children's sleep patterns may be considered during the consultation, along with discussions about appropriate age ranges for such restrictions. This comes alongside existing requirements under the Online Safety Act 2023, which came into force in 2025, mandating that social media companies consistently enforce age limits and protect child users.
Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, welcomed the consultation as "a crucial opportunity to decisively strengthen online safety laws and stand up for children and families." The foundation was established in 2018 by bereaved father Ian Russell after his fourteen-year-old daughter Molly took her own life following exposure to harmful social media content.
"Parents are rightly demanding action, and they need the Prime Minister to get this right," Burrows added. "That means following the evidence rather than implementing simplistic solutions that would quickly unravel and create a false sense of safety."
Political Perspectives and Implementation Timeline
Shadow science secretary Julia Lopez criticized the consultation approach, calling instead for a complete social media ban for children under sixteen. "This consultation is a device to get the Prime Minister out of another of his tight fixes," she stated, referencing cross-party support for stricter measures.
The government has committed to acting swiftly on consultation results, with the DSIT spokesperson noting they aim to implement measures "within months, not years." Secretary Kendall reinforced this commitment: "We are determined to give young people the childhood they deserve and to prepare them for the future in an age of rapid technological change."
The consultation will seek input from diverse stakeholders including experts, parents, young people, teachers, and industry representatives to determine which protective measures should be prioritized for implementation.
