Keir Starmer is preparing to unveil a package of measures aimed at tightening online protections for children, warning that “looking the other way is not an option” when it comes to the risks of social media.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, the prime minister has framed children’s online safety as a central political test for his government. He has described the issue in stark terms, saying: “How we keep children safe online is one of the defining debates of our age.”
Starmer has also linked the debate to wider questions about the power of big technology companies and the duty of the state to intervene when necessary. In a recent statement, he argued: “Social media shapes how children see themselves, their friendships and the world around them. When that comes with real risks, looking the other way is not an option.”
The measures being drawn up in Whitehall are expected to target what ministers see as deliberately “addictive” aspects of social media design. Starmer has signalled a tougher line on these products, saying some social media features “shouldn’t be allowed” when children are involved.
He has suggested that the government needs to move quickly to curb habits such as endless scrolling and autoplay. In remarks reported by international outlets, Starmer said: “We also need to act very quickly… We have to break that habit to stop the addictive nature.”
A central plank of the strategy is to tighten the obligations on major platforms and close off any sense that they can escape scrutiny over children’s safety. Starmer has told broadcasters that “no online platform will get a ‘free pass’ when it comes to children’s safety on the internet.”
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Allies say this reflects a wider view inside Downing Street that some social media companies have built “addictive and harmful” products around a business model that “targets children from a young age.” In that context, Starmer has drawn comparisons with past battles over industries such as tobacco, arguing that governments should learn from earlier failures to act early enough.
The immediate focus for ministers is the ongoing consultation on restrictions for under‑16s, which is expected to inform decisions on bans or tighter access rules later this year. Reports suggest that Starmer wants “rapid” action once the consultation ends, having warned that “the status quo is not good enough.”
Officials are working up options that could include stronger age‑verification, curbs on the most addictive design features and, potentially, limits on which platforms young teenagers can use. NBC News has reported that Starmer is preparing to announce a package of measures early this week based on public and expert input gathered over recent months.
