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

John Anderson 04/15/2026

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

On Thursday, key figures from major social media platforms will meet with the prime minister at Downing Street to address concerns about online safety for children. Representatives from Meta, Snap, YouTube, TikTok, and X are anticipated to face questions from Sir Keir Starmer and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall regarding their measures to safeguard young users and address parental worries. Starmer emphasized the need for “social media companies to take greater responsibility,” highlighting the urgency of the issue as the government progresses with a public consultation on potential restrictions for under-16s. This initiative follows similar policies implemented in Australia, where a ban on social media for minors has sparked debate.

Government’s Push for Youth Safety

The consultation, which is ongoing, also examines broader age-based regulations for services like gaming sites and AI chatbots. Downing Street has not yet disclosed which executives will represent each tech company at the meeting. Starmer warned that inaction could lead to severe consequences, stating, “We owe it to parents and the next generation to prioritize children’s safety—because they won’t forgive us if we don’t.” The government highlighted that some platforms have already introduced safeguards, such as disabling autoplay for children by default and offering parents more control over screen time.

Tech Giants Under Scrutiny

“The consequences of failing to act are stark,” said Starmer. “We owe it to parents, and to the next generation, to put children’s safety first – because they won’t forgive us if we don’t.”

Prof Gina Neff, director of the Minderoo Centre for Technology and Democracy at Cambridge University, noted the meeting allows the government to project an assertive stance on online risks, particularly amid shifting geopolitical pressures that may influence its approach to US-based companies. Earlier on Wednesday, UK MPs voted against a proposal to ban social media for under-16s for the second time, aligning with the government’s plan to grant ministers authority to establish their own rules.

Opposition and Expert Concerns

Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott criticized the decision, stating, “Labour MPs have once again failed parents and children by voting against a ban on social media for under-16s and against removing smartphones from schools.” Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat education spokeswoman Munira Wilson urged immediate action to limit access to the most harmful platforms for young users. Recent findings from the Molly Rose Foundation, an internet safety charity, revealed over 60% of underage Australians still use social media despite a ban introduced in December 2025. The organization, founded by the family of Molly Russell, who died by suicide at 14 after exposure to self-harm content online, opposes similar measures in the UK.

Consultation and Next Steps

Prof Amy Orben, a digital mental health researcher at Cambridge University, stressed the importance of holding companies accountable for their algorithms, which have intensified concerns about user engagement and disconnection. The national consultation, which will conclude on 26 May, has already gathered over 80 organizations, including schools and community groups, alongside more than 45,000 responses. Downing Street said the meeting should lead to concrete commitments, not just promises. Andy Burrows, CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation, welcomed the gathering but warned against “hollow promises” from tech leaders, urging Starmer to finalize a new Online Safety Act in the King’s Speech.