- Prime Minister calls senior leaders from some of the biggest
social media companies into Downing Street
- Follows government taking powers to act quickly once its
consultation concludes, including on measures to protect kids
from social media harms
- PM puts children's safety first and tells companies this is
the time to meet the moment, address parents' concerns and
prepare for next steps
The Prime Minister will say “looking the other way is not an
option” as he brings senior leaders of major social media
companies – Meta, Snap, Google (YouTube), TikTok and X – to
Downing Street today (Thursday 16 April) to press for progress on
one of the most urgent issues affecting children today.
For parents, the stakes could not be higher – this is about
whether children grow up supported and safe online or exposed to
harm with no one taking responsibility. When it comes to keeping
young people safe online, the Prime Minister has been clear this
is not a question of if the government will act, but how.
Throughout the government's consultation, he has heard first hand
from parents on the worries they have about the growing grip of
social media on their children's lives and the need for greater
support.
The Prime Minister has said his government will not sit on its
hands after the consultation, but instead has acted swiftly to
take the legislative powers needed to move quickly once it has
concluded to deliver change within months, not years.
Some social media companies have already stepped up by putting in
place protections like disabling autoplay for children by default
and giving parents greater control over screen time and
introducing curfews. But the Prime Minister has argued we
must go further to protect children and meet the moment.
During today's meeting, the Prime Minister and Technology
Secretary will set out the government's principles and values
when it comes to protecting children, and press for answers from
companies on what they are doing to keep children safe online and
responding to families' concerns.
Ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister said:
“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.
“Parents rightly expect action and fast. That's why we've already
taken the powers needed to move quickly once our consultation
ends.
“I will take whatever steps necessary to keep children safe
online. Today is about making sure social media companies step up
and take responsibility.
“The consequences of failing to act are stark. 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.”
The meeting comes halfway through the government's consultation,
Growing Up in the Online World, which has so far
received more than 45,000 responses to proposals aimed at
protecting children's wellbeing online.
With around six weeks left before the consultation closes on 26
May, the government is urging parents and children to get
involved and help shape the next steps.
The consultation is the most ambitious of its kind in the world.
It explores key questions including whether to introduce a
minimum age for social media, limits on addictive design
features, and stronger safeguards around AI chatbots for young
people.
Almost 6,000 young people have already taken part, and more than
80 organisations – including schools, charities and community
groups – have participated in engagement sessions with ministers
and officials in recent months.
