Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces sweeping online safety crackdown in the United Kingdom to protect children from AI chatbots and harmful social media content

The Prime Minister has drawn a line in the sand on child online safety, declaring that no platform will be allowed to sidestep responsibility when it comes to protecting young people.

Speaking ahead of meetings with parents and teenagers, Sir Keir Starmer made it clear the government intends to move quickly — not in years, but in months — to deal with online harms that have evolved far faster than the law.

For many families, the digital world feels like a minefield. Social media algorithms, anonymous messaging, AI chatbots and endless scrolling weren’t part of childhood a generation ago.

Now they shape daily life for millions of children. The government says the law must catch up.

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Closing Loopholes Around AI Chatbots

One of the biggest changes announced is a crackdown on AI chatbot providers. Ministers plan to close what they describe as a legal loophole so that all chatbot services fall under the illegal content duties set out in the Online Safety Act.

In simple terms, if an AI tool allows illegal material to circulate — or fails to prevent it — it will face consequences.

This follows recent action involving Grok, the AI chatbot linked to Elon Musk’s X platform, where concerns were raised about non-consensual intimate images being shared. After government pressure, the problematic function was removed.

Officials argue this episode proved that swift intervention works — and that powerful platforms can’t expect special treatment.

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Faster Powers to Act on Social Media Harms

The government also wants new legal powers that would allow ministers to respond quickly to findings from the upcoming children’s digital wellbeing consultation.

Instead of waiting for fresh primary legislation every time technology shifts, these powers would let the government implement targeted measures much faster — subject to parliamentary approval.

That could mean introducing a minimum age for social media use, restricting addictive design features like infinite scrolling, or tightening controls on how platforms enforce age verification.

The consultation will also look at whether the current age of digital consent is still fit for purpose in today’s tech landscape.

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Tackling Nude Image Sharing and Coercion

The law is already clear that distributing nude images of children is illegal. But ministers say prevention must come before prosecution.

The consultation will explore how tech companies can better stop children from sending or receiving explicit images in the first place. That includes considering stronger safeguards within messaging apps and AI tools.

Campaigners have long warned about the rise of “sextortion” scams and peer pressure that pushes young people — especially girls — into sharing intimate photos. Police data over the past few years has shown a steady increase in cases involving online blackmail and image abuse.

The government says it wants to prevent harm rather than simply react after damage is done.

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Preserving Data After a Child’s Death

Another proposed change addresses one of the most painful realities families face. Ministers intend to ensure that social media data is preserved following a child’s death, except in cases where online activity is clearly unrelated.

In recent high-profile cases, grieving families have struggled to access or retain digital records that might shed light on what happened. The government says this reform would prevent vital evidence from being deleted before investigations are complete.

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VPNs, AI Access and the Bigger Picture

The consultation will also examine the growing use of VPNs by children to bypass age restrictions, as well as potential limits on minors’ access to AI chatbots.

This reflects broader concerns about how easily young people can evade platform safeguards. Ofcom, which regulates online safety in the UK, has previously highlighted weaknesses in age verification systems across several major platforms.

Officials say the goal is not to block innovation, but to ensure safety protections keep pace with technological change.

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Support for Parents Right Now

Alongside legislative moves, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has launched a public campaign called “You Won’t Know until You Ask.”

It provides parents with practical advice on setting up device controls, starting conversations about online content, and dealing with harmful material such as misogynistic content and ragebait videos designed to provoke anger and engagement.

Ministers say feedback from families has been consistent — parents want clear guidance and swift action, not endless reviews.

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Reactions from Child Safety Campaigners

The NSPCC welcomed the promise of decisive action, warning that without meaningful reform, pressure will grow for a blanket ban on social media for under-16s.

The Molly Rose Foundation, set up after the death of teenager Molly Russell whose inquest examined harmful online content, said the announcement offers reassurance but urged the Prime Minister to go further.

Campaigners argue that product safety should be a cost of doing business in the UK, not an optional extra.

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What’s next?

The children’s digital wellbeing consultation will launch next month. Any measures flowing from it would require approval in the House of Commons.

The government plans to introduce amendments through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill and the Crime and Policing Bill to extend powers over AI chatbots and protect social media data.

If passed, families could see new safeguards introduced within months rather than years.

But much will depend on the consultation findings — and whether Parliament backs the proposals.

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Summary:

The Prime Minister has announced urgent steps to tighten online safety rules for children, including closing loopholes around AI chatbots and preparing new powers to act quickly on harmful social media features.

The government will consult on minimum age limits, restrictions on addictive design, nude image prevention, VPN use and preserving digital data after a child’s death.

Ministers say the UK will lead on online safety, while campaigners have welcomed the ambition but urged even stronger reforms.