The Government has urged more young people to have their say about how to stay safe online after the Prime Minister told tech bosses the risks children face on social media “can’t go on like this”.
Despite nearly 50,000 responses to a Government consultation on keeping children safe online, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has called on more young people to reply before it closes in five weeks, because the respondents so far include only around 6,000 children.
The plea comes ahead of a Childhood in the Age of AI summit on Monday, where Ms Kendall and the NSPCC will meet young people to discuss how AI and technology are shaping childhood.
In preparation for Monday’s summit, Ms Kendall said: “What you tell us will shape what happens next.
“We’re listening, and we will act.”
The event, held at Wilton Park in Sussex, will also include policymakers, tech industry representatives and online safety campaigners.
It follows a meeting on Thursday at Downing Street between Sir Keir Starmer and executives from technology companies Meta, Snap, Google, TikTok and X, where the Prime Minister said things “must change”.
Sir Keir said: “Things can’t go on like this, they must change because right now social media is putting our children at risk.
“In a world in which children are protected, even if that means access is restricted, that is preferable to a world where harm is the price of participation.”
The Prime Minister added: “I am determined we will build a better future for our children, and look forward to working with you on this.
“I do think this can be done. I think the question is not whether it is done, the question is how it is done.”
Pressure is building for a social media ban for under-16s, but MPs again rejected a Lords bid to impose one on Wednesday.
Peers have twice voted to introduce an age limit in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, but both efforts have been seen off in the Commons.
The consultation will gather public opinion on a ban, while also look at how to limit addictive design features on AI chatbots and games.
Ms Kendall said: “I want every young person to hear this clearly: we are determined to keep you safe online and prepare you for the future. It’s not a question of if we will act but how.
“This week, the Prime Minister and I told tech companies that children’s safety must come first. No excuses, and no delays.
“But we want to understand what life online really feels like for you, so we can make it better. What you tell us will shape what happens next. We’re listening, and we will act.”
The Government has particularly called on families in the Midlands, North West, Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to respond to the consultation, because answers from those areas are lower relative to the size of the population.
Since Thursday’s meeting, the Prime Minister has written to the global social media chief executives asking them to use their full resources to help young people.
