Starmer Urges Social Media Firms To Take Responsibility On Online Safety
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on major social media companies to take greater responsibility for protecting children online, ahead of a high-level meeting with leading technology firms.
Speaking before discussions with executives from Meta, Snap, Google, TikTok and X, Starmer stressed that platforms must do more to address the risks faced by young users. The meeting forms part of a broader government effort to tighten oversight of online spaces.
He warned that social media significantly influences how children perceive themselves, their relationships and the wider world. Therefore, he argued that ignoring the associated dangers is not acceptable.
Government Pushes For Stronger Safeguards
The government has increased scrutiny of digital platforms, citing concerns that children are being exposed to harmful content without sufficient accountability. It has also pledged to take further steps to reduce the negative effects of excessive screen use on sleep, family life and academic performance.
While acknowledging that some companies have introduced safety measures, such as disabling autoplay features and improving parental controls, Starmer indicated that these actions do not go far enough.
He emphasised that additional safeguards are necessary to ensure that children can use online services without facing undue risks. As a result, the government is considering stricter regulations targeting platform design and usage patterns.
Potential Restrictions Under Review
Britain is currently consulting on proposals that could significantly limit children’s access to social media. These include a potential ban for users under the age of 16, as well as measures such as curfews, time limits and restrictions on features considered addictive.
The consultation process will continue until next month, after which the government is expected to decide on the next course of action.
Meanwhile, similar efforts are emerging internationally. Australia recently introduced a ban on social media use for children under 16, becoming the first country to implement such a measure. European nations are also exploring comparable policies.
These developments reflect a growing global focus on regulating digital platforms to better protect younger users from online harm.
With inputs from Reuters