Starmer tells social media firms in No 10 meeting ‘things can’t go on like this’ | Social media ban
“Things can’t go on like this”, Keir Starmer told social media bosses at a Downing Street meeting on internet security.
The Prime Minister called out top names from Meta, TikTok, Google and X to No 10 on Thursday morning as his government considers new restrictions on the platforms, including an Australian-style ban on under-16s. Meta owns Facebook and Instagram, and Google owns YouTube.
The government is also advising on imposing a strict age limit on social media, along with potential limits on app features such as infinite scrolling.
Starmer told executives: “Things cannot continue like this, they need to change because social media right now is putting our children at risk. In a world where children are protected, even if that means restricting access, that is preferable to a world where the price of participation is harm.”
He added: “I am determined that we will 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 the question is not whether it should be done, but how.”
Starmer has previously been skeptical of the idea of a social media ban, worrying it could push young people onto the dark web and leave them ill-equipped to use technology wisely when they turn 16. Popular social media apps impose an age limit of 13 for users in the UK.
But pressure has increased on the prime minister in recent weeks, especially from his own supporters; More than 60 of them recently signed a letter calling for a ban. Many within the government expect the prime minister to sign off on the ban once consultations are completed this summer.
MPs on Wednesday rejected a move by the House of Lords to impose age restrictions on apps. Many Labor MPs who voted against it say they want to see the government’s response to the consultation before taking any further action.
Conservative Party member John Nash introduced an amendment to the child welfare and schools bill that would impose a default ban, giving ministers 12 months to decide which platforms should be banned. This was rejected twice in the House of Commons.
The government’s early education minister, Olivia Bailey, who represented the government in the House of Commons on Wednesday, insisted consultation on potential consequences was the best way forward.
“Instead of the narrow change proposed in the House of Lords, our consultations allow us to consider a much wider range of services and features,” he said. “It also allows us to consider different views on the way forward and that is why it is so important that we do not obstruct government consultations.”
The government is putting pressure on communications regulator Ofcom, which enforces the Online Safety Act, the main law aimed at reining in social media platforms. Last year technology secretary Liz Kendall warned the watchdog it risked losing public trust if it did not use its powers to tackle online harms.
This month Kendall appointed former Channel 4 chief Ian Cheshire as the new Ofcom chief.
Google declined to comment on the No. 10 meeting. Meta, TikTok and X have been approached for comment.
