The UK government is poised to unveil a raft of measures aimed at protecting teenagers from online harms, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy warning tech companies they have had "more than enough time" to address child safety concerns. In anticipation of an announcement from the Prime Minister on Monday, Ms Nandy has signalled that firms will be held accountable for ensuring the safety of their products, suggesting those that fail to comply may lose their right to market to children.
Speaking to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, Ms Nandy made it clear that the government's focus is on implementing effective measures, rather than simply debating whether stricter controls are necessary. While she declined to pre-empt the Prime Minister's specific proposals, she acknowledged that a broader approach would be required to tackle online harms affecting young people. "The question isn't whether we need to do more to protect children online," Ms Nandy said, "it's how." The Culture Secretary pointed out that the majority of responses to a recent government consultation had supported a social media ban for under-16-year-olds, and argued that such a measure would fundamentally alter cultural norms.
However, some campaigners have expressed concerns about the proposed approach. Ian Russell, who has been vocal on the issue following his daughter's tragic death, warned against "sledgehammer techniques" like bans, which could create more problems than they solve. He also suggested that the policy may have been rushed for "political reasons," and accused those involved of "gambling with young people's lives."
The Prime Minister's announcement is expected to outline the government's strategy for tackling online harms affecting young people, following sustained pressure from parents, campaigners, and cross-party MPs. The debate centres on striking a balance between protecting children and avoiding unintended consequences of broad restrictions.
The implications of such policies could be significant for both tech companies operating in the UK and for families across the country. Any new legislation would likely build upon the framework of the existing Online Safety Act, which places duties of care on platforms to protect users, particularly children, from illegal and harmful content. The Prime Minister's announcement will reveal the specific mechanisms the government intends to employ to further this objective.