Sir Keir Starmer’s political rivals have called for him to go “much further” in clamping down on tech firms, as he issued a three-month deadline to stop children sending and receiving nude images.
The prime minister has told tech companies they must introduce device controls to prevent children sending or receiving explicit images, or the government will legislate to force the change.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has said the move is “an idea without a proper plan” and called for children to be removed from social media, while the Lib Dems said it is “desperately sad” that it took so long for Sir Keir to take action.
Former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigned from Sir Keir’s government last month, after she claimed he refused to introduce such a law because he was “worried about tech bosses”.
She said in a letter that she presented a solution to introduce the measure a year ago, and it had taken her a year to convince Sir Keir to “threaten to legislate”.
The new rules are designed to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images, with Sir Keir telling London Tech Week that firms “should adapt to the needs of society, not the other way around.”
Key Points
- Starmer gives tech companies ultimatum over children sending naked images
- Jess Phillips welcomes Starmer's ultimatum to tech companies
- NSPCC has warned 'time is up for big tech'
- Starmer ‘set to announce under-16s social media ban’
- AI tech and social media platforms enabling child abuse
How would Starmer’s social media ban for under-16s work in the UK?
14:00 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer is expected to announce a ban on social media for under-16s after the results of a nationwide consultation are thought to have shown support for the measures.
The prime minister is preparing to unveil plans to restrict online activity for children to protect them from harmful content through a number of new measures.
How rigorous the government’s stance is remains to be revealed, with ministers so far not being drawn on when or whether Sir Keir will announce the ban. He reportedly intends to do so before the Makerfield by-election on 18 June, where potential leadership challenger Andy Burnham is standing as Labour’s parliamentary candidate.
Read the full explainer here:
How would Starmer’s social media ban for under-16s work in the UK?
Minister warns social media ban is 'not clear cut'
13:41 , Holly EvansSkills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith said the government is considering evidence from its consultation on a social media ban and will bring forward proposals before summer recess.
But the minister did not confirm a full ban would be implemented, and told Sky News: “This isn't as clear cut as some people like to think it is, which is exactly why the government has taken the approach it's taken.”
“We need to pick here is what is going to be most effective for protecting young people from the bad sides of social media, which I think all of us accept are there.
“That might mean going further than, for example, the social media ban in Australia went on certain functionalities. It might mean saying that there are certain things which should definitely be banned. There's consideration about what age any ban would happen at.”
How many children in the UK use social media?
13:26 , Holly EvansIn the UK, around eight in 10 children aged three to 17 are estimated to have at least one active social media profile.
In the 13 to 15 bracket, this sits at 95 per cent, according to Ofcom.
The regulator has also found that 37 per cent of three- to five-year-olds use social media according to reports from parents, up from 29 per cent in 2023.
Ministers considering evidence from Australia in social media ban
13:07 , Holly EvansWith regards to a social media ban for under-16s, ministers have been mulling evidence from Australia, which imposed a blanket ban in December. The Sun on Sunday reported the UK clampdown will exclude a number of apps including YouTube Kids.
Meanwhile, a short three-week call for evidence has been launched to produce guidance for parents on how long their children should spend glued to TV, phone and tablet screens.
The consultation will also seek views on screen use in schools, where ministers believe technology can play a vital role, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).
Social media and gaming should be banned for under-18s until proven safe, children's tsar says
12:49 , Holly EvansChildren’s commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, said: “Young people get huge benefits from technology – but despite wanting to spend less time on screens they tell me they find it hard to put their devices down.”
The children’s tsar said action is needed “to address technology companies’ unfettered access to children” and has indicated a ban should cover those up to age 18, rather than stopping at 16.
Dame Rachel said: “Any online service – not just social media, but gaming and other platforms – that uses harmful or risky features should be banned from accessing under-18s unless and until it can prove it is safe.
“This means tackling the features that drive addiction, expose children to harmful content, or enable contact from strangers.
“Children have done nothing wrong. The responsibility lies with companies to demonstrate that their services protect children’s safety and wellbeing. Until they do this, they should not be allowed into their lives.”
Asking companies before legislating is the best way, No10 says
12:30 , Holly EvansThe government is focused on implementing measures “as swiftly as possible” to stop children sharing explicit images, Downing Street said.
Asked why the prime minister had issued an ultimatum to tech companies rather than introducing legislation immediately, Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: “As Jess Phillips said this morning, asking the tech companies to do it and then legislating has the potential to make this happen more quickly.
“The focus is on delivering these changes as swiftly as possible and the best way of doing that is to work with the tech industry to drive change.”
Asked why it had taken so long to issue the ultimatum, the spokesman said: “It’s important to get this right and that’s why we have been working with the tech industry to do that, and that’s why we’re putting companies on notice today so that either they act within those three months or will legislate to force them.
“But we believe that the companies will want to continue working with us, building on the progress they’ve already made.
“Companies have already taken steps to introduce nudity detection and age verification, so this isn’t a significant ask to see these applied in a way that better protects children.”
Parents are dealing with 'challenges previous generations never faced', minister says
12:25 , Holly EvansEducation secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Parents are trying to navigate challenges previous generations never faced, and they deserve clear, practical support they can trust.
“Some will argue the answer is to turn back the clock and return to a world of only pens and paper. I disagree.
“Used well, technology can open up opportunities for children with Send, personalise support and help more children succeed.
“We want every child to benefit from technology’s opportunities without sacrificing the things that matter most – their learning, their wellbeing and their childhood.”
PM expect to announce social media ban before Burnham by-election
12:15 , Holly EvansSir Keir is expected to go further in the coming days with widespread expectation that he will announce a ban on children under-16 being able to access harmful social media sites.
Multiple reports have suggested he will take the step before the Makerfield by-election on June 18 which could see potential leadership challenger Andy Burnham return to Parliament.
Meanwhile, a separate consultation will lead to guidance for parents on when a child should get their first smartphone and how long under-16s should spend in front of screens.
The call for evidence will also seek views on screen use in schools, where ministers believe technology can play a vital role, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).
Tech secretary says phone devices are also 'part of the problem'
12:09 , Holly EvansTechnology secretary Liz Kendall, said:“No parent should have to worry that giving their child a smartphone opens the door to abuse and exploitation.
"We are holding social media platforms to account and will soon announce our next steps to keep children safe online. But this doesn't stop with platforms; the devices themselves are part of the problem - and they can be part of the solution.
“Companies should switch these protections on by default, for every child, on every device. We are giving them three months to show us that they will do the right thing.”
Recap: How will the ban on explicit child imagery work?
11:56 , Holly BancroftThe government has said that tech companies have till September to introduce a ban on sharing nude imagery of children on smartphones and tablets.
If they do not take action then the government will bring forward legislation to force companies, such as Apple and Google, to activate the tech.
Home Office officials are confident in the quick three-month turn around because they know the technology already exists.
Apple and Google already deploy anti-nudity functions, such as in iMessage, but they do not yet extend this to third-party apps or at the camera level, officials said.
The government wants existing and newly-sold devices in the UK to come with technology that will detect at camera level when a nude image is being taken.
If the owner of the phone is over 18, they will then be asked to verify their age and essentially “unlock” the ability to take nude images on their phone.
This will also be the case for receiving nude imagery.
The Home Office said that British safety tech firm SafeToNet has also shown this change is already achievable, with software that blocks nude content and prevents images being taken if the camera detects a child.
Lib Dems say Starmer's late response on tech is 'desperately sad'
11:46 , Holly EvansLiberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper said it is “desperately sad” the Prime Minister has only now issued an ultimatum to tech companies over children sending naked images.
Speaking at a press conference on energy bills on Monday, Ms Cooper said: “I just find it desperately sad that it has taken almost two years for the Prime Minister to do this, and I think it’s desperately sad that he’s now doing it in the context of a leadership challenge rather than doing it because it’s the right thing to do.
“I think all of us were moved when we heard Jess Phillips talking about her pleading with the Prime Minister.
“She had been pleading with the Prime Minister to act on this issue time and time again, clearly we haven’t seen the details of how it would work, and we will scrutinise that, but you know we are two years into this Parliament, and we’ve been wanting to see action.”
Ms Cooper added: “We think these big tech companies that are pouring poison into children’s brains need to be paying a lot more to help with that particular issue, and we want stronger regulation as well.
“So, I hope we do see genuine action by the Prime Minister, but I find it deeply sad that he hasn’t acted much sooner.”
AI tech and social media platforms enabling child abuse
11:32 , Holly BancroftPaedophiles are using AI platforms to create hundreds of thousands of realistic child sexual abuse images, with some making large amounts of money from the sick trade.
In the UK, paedophile Hugh Nelson made sadistic CGI imagery from pictures of real children, taking commissions from other offenders.
In Denmark, one offender created over 400,000 realistic AI child sexual abuse images.
And in America, an offender made in the region of $2million from making AI models to create child sex abuse images.
Law enforcement officials have warned that predators are taking images from real children’s social media profiles and creating sick AI videos from them.
UK children are also at risk from ‘sex-tortion’ scammers. Some groups on Telegram have been set up for people who say they are extorting children for sexual imagery.
One such group had up to 60,000 members from around the world. Cases seen by police include children being encouraged to swallow razor blades, children coerced into bestiality, and children being groomed into livestreaming their own suicides.
Police do not think there has been a case where a child in the UK has taken their own life on a livestream, but they have seen this encouraged.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branchIf you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
Should under-16s be banned from social media?
11:19 , Holly EvansWhy is the ban on under 18s sharing nude images important?
11:11 , Holly BancroftThe vast majority of online child sexual abuse incidents involve children creating and sharing nude images of themselves.
Initial nude images are often shared after a child has been catfished online, where an adult offender impersonates a child to gain trust.
Perpetrators then use this first nude photo to blackmail their child victim, sometimes threatening to assault their family members and siblings if the child does not provide further images.
91 per cent of online child sexual abuse reports recorded in 2024 contained self-generated content from children themselves and the average child now views pornography by age 13.
Government officials have warned that it is not possible to stem the rise in child sexual abuse through law enforcement tactics, such as arrests and charges, as the problem is too big.
As a result they are keen to make it impossible for children to share nude images in the first place, so that the cycle of abuse cannot start.
This will also stop child perpetrators of abuse from being able to receive other images of children.
52 per cent of all child sexual abuse and exploitation cases involve children aged 10-17 offending against other children.
Analysis: Starmer’s social media announcement another example of ‘too little, too late’
11:04 , Holly EvansOur political editor David Maddox writes:
Sir Keir Starmer may be on the ropes as prime minister but he is not going to go down without a fight - at least with the various issues which have plagued his government over two years.
This morning, Sir Keir used his speech at London Tech Week to get tough on the social media giants.
He gave major companies like Google and Apple a three month deadline to block nudity as a default with people only able to bypass it by confirming they are 18 and over.
But in a way, it was a classic of the Starmer genre over the last two years of government.
A row which has been raging on in his government for months where his inaction eventually lost him a senior minister (Jess Phillips from the Home Office) he finally deals with but still manages to kick the problem down the road.
Some will wonder if Sir Keir will even be prime minister in three months to make good his threat.
Notably Ms Phillips welcomed the move but was asking for this to be done months ago.
Once again it all feels like too little too late, a feature that has corroded Sir Keir authority in his two years as PM.
Badenoch says move is 'an idea without a proper plan behind it'
11:00 , Holly EvansKemi Badenoch has said the prime minister needs to get children off social media rather than taking “piecemeal” action, after he told tech firms they must stop children sending and receiving explicit images on their devices or face a change to the law.
The Conservative Party leader said: “I think the move today is an idea without a proper plan behind it.
“I don’t want to see children being able to send nudes, but I don’t know exactly how the government is looking at this.
“A much simpler way of dealing with these things is getting children off social media rather than piecemeal measures that are tackling the problems issue by issue.
“We’ve got to go much further than that.”
Asked whether she would back a ban on social media that goes up to the age of 18, she said: “I think that 16 is an appropriate age for children to start using social media.”
Sadiq Khan says he recognises both 'challenges and opportunities' of AI
10:55 , Holly EvansThe prime minister’s ultimatum to tech firms about explicit images at the launch of London Tech Week on Monday was followed by talks from the mayor of London and Microsoft and AMD executives followed
Sir Sadiq Khan called himself “an AI realist” and said he recognised both “the challenges and opportunities” of the development.
He said: “Technology is not spread evenly across our country. We learned during the Covid pandemic that there were these tech deserts, either not having the right kit, the right connectivity, or the right training, and that’s an issue for us as a country and as a city.
“So it goes to making sure that people have access to the skills and not being scared about this boogeyman AI.”
In her address, Lisa Su, chief executive of semiconductor company AMD, announced £2 billion of investment in the UK over the next five years.
Mahmood says tech firms have a 'moral duty to act'
10:38 , Holly EvansHome secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “As a society, we have not kept pace with the changing threats that children face. Abuse online is far too common, and we will not tolerate it.
“Tech companies have a moral duty to act, by making it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images. If they don’t, we will legislate.”
Abuse online is far too common, and we will not tolerate it.
— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) June 8, 2026
Tech companies have a moral duty to act by making it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images.
If they don’t, we will legislate. pic.twitter.com/Qp3ppm3I0E
‘Desperately sad’ Starmer’s tech ultimatum has taken so long, Lib Dems say
10:34 , Holly EvansThe Liberal Democrat’s deputy leader has said it is “deeply sad” that Sir Keir Starmer has taken so long to tell tech companies to prevent children sending or receiving explicit images.
Daisy Cooper criticised Sir Keir Starmer for failing to act sooner, accusing him of instead choosing to make the announcement “in the context of a leadership challenge”.
“I just find it desperately sad that it has taken almost two years for the prime minister to do this,” she told a press conference on Monday.
“I think it's desperately sad that he's now doing it in the context of a leadership challenge rather than doing it because it's the right thing to do.”
She added: “I hope we do see genuine action by the prime minister, but I find it deeply sad that he hasn't acted much sooner.”
Governments gives tech firms three month deadline.
10:30 , Holly BancroftIf companies do not act within three months, the government has said it will bring forward legislation to force them to activate the technology.
This will include fines for companies, and the Home Office has said they will explore criminal liability for tech bosses who fail to comply.
The government wants Apple and Google to block nudity across the whole device by default, so this only be deactivated if you verify that you are older than 18.
Tech firms must activate features to detect nude images
10:25 , Holly EvansThe government wants firms to activate built-in features on their devices or come up with technological solutions on smartphones and tablets to detect and block nude images from children.
The changes will apply to both existing and newly sold smartphones and tablets in the UK.
Legislation could cover operating system such as Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android and other forms in the supply chain, such as retailers selling phones and tablets.
Officials said changes will not affect the use of devices owned and used by adults who verify their age.
Starmer ‘set to announce under-16s social media ban’
10:19 , Holly EvansSir Keir Starmer is reportedly poised to announce a ban on social media for under-16s within the next 10 days as the children’s tsar called for an extension to cover teenagers up to 18 years old.
The prime minister is said to be preparing to unveil plans to restrict children's online activity to protect them from harmful content, following a nationwide consultation that closed last month.
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has already thrown his weight behind the proposal, saying tech firms must prove their services are safe for children or face a ban on being available to under-16s.
Ministers have been mulling evidence from Australia, which imposed a blanket ban in December. The Sun on Sunday reported the UK clampdown will exclude a number of apps.
Read the full article here:
Starmer ‘set to announce under-16s social media ban’
NSPCC has warned 'time is up for big tech'
10:13 , Holly EvansChildren’s charity the NSPCC has welcomed the Government’s announcement on tackling explicit images, insisting “time is up for big tech”.
NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood, said: “Online grooming, sexual exploitation and the proliferation of child sexual abuse material could be prevented if tech companies did the right thing and introduced nudity blocking technology on children’s phones.
“Every day these protections are not in place, more children will continue to face devastating harm in the online world.
That’s why we strongly support Government’s decision to make it mandatory for these companies to block inappropriate material at device level. This marks a major step forward in our fight against online child sexual abuse.
“Time is up for big tech.
“Now Government must focus on holding them to account to ensure this transformational change for young people’s safety is quickly delivered.”
Jess Phillips welcomes Starmer's ultimatum to tech companies
10:10 , Athena StavrouJess Phillips has praised Sir Keir Starmer's ultimatum for tech companies to introduce controls preventing children sending or receiving explicit images.
The former safeguarding minister, who resigned from government in May, previously said she had been calling on the prime minister to introduce the measures for over a year.
She told The Independent the harm she had seen is "unimaginable to most", and said: "I'm glad that the government have announced this, the three month window for Google and Apple to make all device and operating systems block the taking of naked images of children is perfectly possible.
"I will work with the government on the strongest possible legislation backstop that stops children being duped and then groomed by paedophiles to take and send naked images. The harm I have seen is unimaginable to most."
Starmer gives tech companies ultimatum over children sending naked images
10:06 , Holly EvansTechnology companies have been given an ultimatum to stop children sending and receiving explicit images on their devices or face a change to the law, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The government has given firms such as Apple and Google three months to implement changes or face new legislation.
In a speech at London Tech Week, the prime minister said: “One issue is the ability for children with phones to send and receive nude images.
“For too long, people have been told that is simply the price of modern tech, that nothing can be done, that Government is powerless, that parents just have to accept it.
“I reject that completely, because tech should adapt to the needs of society, not the other way around.”
He added: “That is why today I am calling on tech companies operating in this country to introduce device controls that prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images.”
He said this was not an “impossible challenge” and said his government were prepared to change the law as “standing by is not an option”.
