Starmer pledges tougher rules for social media to protect children
Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister, has announced plans to introduce stricter regulations for social media companies to safeguard children online. He stressed that platforms will no longer have a “free pass” when it comes to protecting young users. Responding to parental concerns, Starmer outlined government intentions to strengthen online safety laws and address the risks children face on social media. He highlighted the need for urgent action to keep up with technological changes and ensure children’s wellbeing.
What we know
- Keir Starmer said the government will tighten existing online safety laws, specifically targeting AI chatbots and harmful app features.
- Measures under consideration include setting a minimum age for social media, restricting addictive functionalities like endless scroll or autoplay, and limiting VPN access for children.
- Starmer criticised social media companies for not doing enough to address issues such as grooming, bullying, and exposure to harmful content.
- The government recently intervened to ensure X fixed its AI bot Grok to prevent the creation of non-consensual images.
- Starmer promised swift action once decisions are made, even if it means confronting major social media firms.
