Social media leaders called to Downing Street over children’s safety
Social media leaders called to Downing Street over children’s safety
On Thursday, leaders of major social media platforms are set to meet at Downing Street to address concerns about online safety for children. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall will question executives from Meta, Snap, YouTube, TikTok, and X about their efforts to safeguard minors and address parental worries. Starmer emphasized the need for companies to “step up and take responsibility,” stressing the importance of prioritizing children’s well-being in the digital space.
Public consultation on age restrictions
The gathering follows a government-led public consultation exploring whether to restrict social media access for those under 16. This initiative builds on similar measures implemented in Australia, which have sparked debate across the UK. Downing Street has not yet disclosed which representatives from each tech firm will attend the meeting.
“The consequences of failing to act are stark,” said Starmer. “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.”
Despite the meeting, UK MPs voted against a proposed ban on social media for under-16s for the second time in recent weeks. The decision came after peers in the House of Lords had previously supported the measure. Ministers argued the ban was premature, as the government is already considering its own regulations. The MPs opted to grant ministers the authority to introduce their own rules.
Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott criticized the rejection, stating: “Labour MPs have once again failed parents and children by voting against a ban on social media for under-16s and against removing smartphones from schools. Other countries are waking up to the harms, but under Keir Starmer the UK is falling behind.”
Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson added: “The time for half-measures is over—we need action now to restrict the most harmful platforms for under-16s.”
Research highlights ongoing use by minors
Recent findings from the Molly Rose Foundation, an internet safety charity, reveal that over 60% of Australian minors continue using social media despite a ban on platforms for those under 16, which took effect in December 2025. The charity, founded by the family of Molly Russell, who died by suicide at 14 in 2017 after exposure to self-harm content on platforms like Instagram, expressed cautious support for the UK meeting.
“Keir Starmer must turn his welcome rhetoric into action with a clear commitment in the King’s Speech to a new Online Safety Act that finally calls time on cavalier business models that put profit before safety,” said Andy Burrows, chief executive of Molly Rose Foundation.
Prof Gina Neff, from the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at Cambridge University, noted the government’s approach aims to demonstrate “proactivity” in tackling online risks. She also highlighted the strategic timing, as geopolitical pressures have influenced the UK’s stance on US-based tech firms.
Prof Amy Orben, a digital mental health expert at Cambridge University, pointed out that companies’ algorithms have raised alarms. “Young people and parents report difficulties in disengaging from the online world,” she said, underscoring the need to hold tech businesses accountable for their impact.
The national consultation, which also examines potential age limits for gaming sites and AI chatbots, is set to conclude on 26 May. Downing Street reported receiving over 80 organizations’ input, including schools and community groups, alongside more than 45,000 responses. Sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter to follow the world’s top tech stories and trends. Outside the UK? Sign up here.
