PM Summons Social Media Chiefs to No 10 Over Child Safety Crackdown
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called senior executives from major social media platforms, including TikTok, Meta, X, Snap, and Google, to Downing Street for urgent talks on protecting children online. The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, aims to pressure these tech giants to enhance safety measures for young users, with the government weighing potential new restrictions such as an Australia-style ban for under-16s.
Government Pushes for Accountability
Sir Keir emphasized that social media companies must step up and take responsibility for the impact of their platforms on children. He warned that failing to act would have stark consequences, stating, Social media shapes how children see themselves, their friendships and the world around them. When that comes with real risks, looking the other way is not an option. The Prime Minister will be joined by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall in questioning the executives on their current efforts to address parental concerns and safeguard minors.
Consultation and Potential Measures
The talks occur midway through the government's Growing Up In The Online World consultation, which closes on May 26 and has already garnered over 45,000 responses, including nearly 6,000 from young people. Ministers are considering a range of options, such as:
- Banning social media access for under-16s, similar to Australia's approach.
- Limiting addictive features like infinite scrolling.
- Implementing stronger controls on AI chatbots.
Sir Keir has previously shown hesitation toward an outright ban but has signaled willingness to curb features that keep children hooked. The government has promised to move quickly post-consultation, with changes expected within months.
Industry and Political Pushback
Proposals for an under-16 ban have faced resistance from the tech industry. Kate Alessi, managing director of Google UK and Ireland, argued that blanket bans take choices away from parents and push kids out of supervised spaces, suggesting it is not the right approach. Meanwhile, opposition MPs and peers, including Conservative former schools minister Lord Nash, are pushing to include an age limit in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Lord Nash cited recent US court cases holding platforms liable for addictive designs as game changers for his cause.
Recent Parliamentary Developments
On Wednesday evening, MPs rejected a second attempt from the House of Lords to introduce an immediate social media ban for under-16s. Education minister Olivia Bailey defended the government's broader consultation, stating it allows addressing a wider range of services and features than the Lords' amendment. Some social media firms have already implemented measures like disabling autoplay, enhancing parental controls, and introducing curfews, but No 10 insists more must be done.
Calls for Stronger Regulation
Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, urged Sir Keir to decisively commit to strengthening regulation to make unsafe and addictive design a thing of the past. The Prime Minister reiterated his commitment, saying, I will take whatever steps necessary to keep children safe online. We owe it to parents, and to the next generation, to put children's safety first – because they won't forgive us if we don't.
