Social media leaders called to Downing Street over children’s safety

Social media leaders called to Downing Street over children’s safety

On Thursday, prominent figures from Meta, Snap, YouTube, TikTok, and X are expected to gather at Downing Street for a discussion with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall. The session will focus on the measures these companies are taking to safeguard children online and address parental worries. Starmer emphasized that the gathering aims to “ensure social media firms take accountability and prioritize child safety.”

The meeting occurs during a government-led public consultation on whether to restrict social media access for users under 16, echoing policies introduced in Australia. Downing Street has not yet disclosed which executives will represent each tech company. “The cost of inaction is severe,” Starmer stated, adding, “We must lead with children’s well-being, as they won’t tolerate delays.”

“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.”

Number 10 highlighted that some platforms have already implemented features like disabling autoplay for children and granting parents control over screen time. Prof Gina Neff, from the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at Cambridge University, noted the government’s proactive stance, stating, “This allows the administration to project strength in combating online risks, especially amid shifting global pressures on US firms.”

On Wednesday, UK MPs voted against a proposal to ban social media for under-16s, a second time, despite support from House of Lords peers. Ministers argued the measure was too soon, as the government was evaluating its own regulations. However, Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott criticized the decision, claiming, “Labour MPs have once again let parents and children down by opposing the ban and keeping smartphones in schools.”

Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson stressed, “The era of limited actions is over—we need immediate steps to limit the impact of harmful platforms on young users.” Recent data from the Molly Rose Foundation, an internet safety group founded by the family of Molly Russell, who died by suicide at 14 after exposure to self-harm content, revealed that over 60% of Australian minors continue using social media despite a 2025 ban for under-16s.

“Keir Starmer must transform his welcoming words into concrete action with a clear pledge in the King’s Speech to a new Online Safety Act that ends reckless business practices prioritizing profit over safety,” said Andy Burrows, CEO of Molly Rose Foundation.

Prof Amy Orben, a digital mental health specialist at Cambridge University, underscored the need to scrutinize tech companies’ business models. “Their algorithms have sparked widespread concern, with young users and parents reporting difficulties in disconnecting from online environments,” she remarked.

The national consultation, which also examines age limits for gaming sites and AI chatbots, is set to conclude on 26 May. Downing Street reported over 45,000 responses and input from around 80 organizations, including schools and community groups. Sign up for our Tech Decoded newsletter to stay updated on global tech trends. Outside the UK? Sign up here.