Children will probably be protected against AI chatbots and porn, Prime Minister vows

Sir Keir Starmer will today say he is stepping up Government action to protect children online amid growing pressure for him to ban under-16s from social media.

The Prime Minister will vow that no social media or internet platform will get a ‘free pass’ when it comes to children’s safety.

In new proposals announced today, the Government will consider restricting young people’s access to AI chatbots.

Ministers will also look at ways to prevent children using VPNs – which can bypass age verification systems – to access pornography.

And they will consider measures to preserve phone data in tragic cases where online activity is suspected of being involved in a child’s death.

The Government will also lay the groundwork for action to be taken quickly if an upcoming consultation on children’s digital wellbeing recommends an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s.

It comes after ministers forced the Grok AI tool on Elon Musk’s X platform to stop responding to requests to make sexualised images of women and girls.

The PM said last night: ‘As a dad of two teenagers, I know the challenges and the worries that parents face making sure their kids are safe online.

Sir Keir Starmer is expected to say that no social media or internet platform will get a ‘free pass’ when it comes to children’s safety (The PM pictured on Saturday)

The Government will consider restricting young people’s access to AI chatbots and VPNs (file photo)

‘Technology is moving really fast, and the law has got to keep up. With my government, Britain will be a leader not a follower when it comes to online safety.

‘The action we took on Grok sent a clear message that no platform gets a free pass.

‘Today we are closing loopholes that put children at risk, and laying the groundwork for further action.

‘We are acting to protect children’s wellbeing and help parents to navigate the minefield of social media.’

Former Schools Minister Lord Nash welcomed the Government’s consideration of the proposal to allow bereaved parents to access the social media accounts of children if they die, known as Jools’ Law by campaigners.

But he added: ‘There are too many children who are still being catastrophically harmed by social media every day, and this announcement will not prevent that. This consultation is just delay dressed up as process.’

He called on Labour to back his amendment for a social media age limit of 16, passed by the Lords last month, when it returns to the Commons.

And Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott said: ‘This is more smoke and mirrors from a Government that has chosen inaction when it comes to stopping under-16s accessing social media.

‘Claiming they are taking ‘immediate action’ is simply not credible when their so-called urgent consultation does not even exist.’