Executives from Google, X, TikTok and Meta were called into Downing Street on Thursday by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to account for what they are doing regarding children’s safety online.
Starmer made clear that social media is putting children at risk and that political and public patience is wearing thin.
“Companies have to grip this and work with us to do better by British children, and to demonstrate credibly and quickly how these products can be made appropriate for children. Because frankly, if they can’t, it becomes increasingly difficult to argue that these platforms should be part of childhood at all,” said PM Keir Starmer.
Pressure is building across Westminster. Conservatives are pushing for the UK to follow Australia with a ban on social media for under-16s, alongside restrictions on smartphone use in schools. These proposals the government has repeatedly rejected, including in a recent vote.
For now, Starmer’s government remains in consultation mode. The consultation runs until late May, after which responses will be assessed. That leaves a window—both political and practical—before any formal policy is set.
Campaigners argue that urgent action is needed. On Wednesday, dozens of bereaved parents delivered a petition to Downing Street demanding immediate action to strengthen online protections for children.
Officials acknowledge that some safeguards have been introduced, such as disabling autoplay for children and expanding parental controls, but insist more must be done.
“The consultation needs to be broad. Yes, we do need to look at a band for under-16s. We’re consulting on that. There are strong views either way on that, but we need to look at range of tools here that can be used and that’s what we’re doing. But the real important thing for me to get across is this. It’s not whether we’re doing something. We are going to do something. We’re going to protect children. The question is what are we going to do and then we’ve put the powers in place to move very quickly on this,” said Starmer.
The Prime Minister has made clear that the status quo cannot continue—and that restricting children’s access to social media may be preferable to a system that leaves them exposed to harm. The question now is whether that rhetoric will translate into action once the consultation closes.
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