Social media leaders called to Downing Street over children’s safety

Key figures from major social media platforms are set to meet at Downing Street on Thursday as part of a government initiative to address concerns about online safety for children. Representatives from Meta, Snap, YouTube, TikTok, and X are anticipated to engage with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, focusing on their measures to safeguard young users and address parental worries.

The gathering aims to compel social media firms to “take greater accountability,” according to Starmer, who emphasized the urgency of protecting children from digital risks. This follows a broader public consultation launched by the UK government on whether to impose a social media ban for users under 16, inspired by similar policies in Australia. Downing Street has not yet disclosed which executives will represent each company at the event.

“The repercussions of inaction are severe,” Starmer stated. “We must prioritize children’s well-being, for they will not tolerate complacency from us.”

Number 10 highlighted that some platforms have already implemented measures such as disabling autoplay for children by default and granting parents more control over screen time. Prof Gina Neff, from the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at Cambridge University, noted the meeting reflects the government’s proactive stance amid shifting international pressures to accommodate US tech firms.

On Wednesday, UK Parliament members voted against a proposal to ban social media for under-16s, marking the second time such a measure was rejected. The decision allowed ministers to retain the authority to establish their own regulations, even as Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott criticized the move as “a step backward” in protecting youth.

Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson argued that “half-baked solutions are no longer acceptable” and called for stricter rules targeting the most harmful platforms for younger users. Meanwhile, recent findings from the Molly Rose Foundation, an internet safety charity, revealed that over 60% of Australian minors continue to use social media despite a December 2025 ban on under-16s.

The foundation, founded by the family of Molly Russell, a 14-year-old who died by suicide in 2017 after exposure to self-harm content online, supports the UK’s approach but urges concrete action. Andy Burrows, its CEO, welcomed the Downing Street meeting but warned against “empty assurances” from tech companies.

“Keir Starmer must transform his public pledges into legislative commitment,” Burrows said. “A new Online Safety Act in the King’s Speech is essential to challenge profit-driven models that neglect child safety.”

Prof Amy Orben, a digital mental health researcher at Cambridge University, stressed the importance of holding platforms accountable for their algorithms’ impact. “Young people and parents are increasingly concerned about their ability to disconnect from online environments,” she observed.

The national consultation, which also examines potential age limits for gaming sites and AI chatbots, will conclude on 26 May. Downing Street reported over 45,000 responses and input from approximately 80 organizations, including schools and community groups. Sign up for the Tech Decoded newsletter to stay updated on global tech developments. Outside the UK? Sign up here.