Risks to children on social media ‘can’t go on like this’, PM tells tech bosses

Sir Keir Starmer told tech bosses the risks children face on social media “cannot continue like this”.

The Prime Minister dragged senior figures from Google, which owns X, Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube, to Downing Street on Thursday to push them to go further on protecting children as the Government weighs new restrictions.

He also pointed out that measures could be taken to restrict children’s access to social media sites.

Sir Keir said: “Things can’t go on like this, it needs to change because social media right now is putting our children at risk.

“A world where children are protected, even if that means restricting access, is preferable to a world where the price of participation is harm.”

The Prime Minister added: “I am determined to build a better future for our children and I look forward to working with you on this.

“I think it can be done. I think it’s not a question of whether it should be done, but how it is done.”

Those rounded out at number 10 included X’s Wifredo Fernandez, TikTok’s Alistair Law, Meta’s Markus Reinisch and Google’s Kate Alessi.

The meeting comes amid the Government’s consultations on how to protect children online, which could include an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s, limits on addictive features and stronger controls on AI chatbots.

Ministers are under constant pressure to follow Australia’s lead.

But MPs on Wednesday rejected a second proposal from the House of Lords to immediately impose a social media ban on under-16s.

Peers have twice voted to impose an age limit on the Children’s Welfare and Schools Bill, but both efforts failed in the House of Commons.