Keir Starmer is promising to enforce a crackdown on children and teenagers using smartphones, including measures to eliminate “vile illegal content created by AI”.
Reforms could include a minimum age limit for social media and restrictions on “infinite” scrolling.
Children could also be prevented from using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access pornography, and from speaking with online chatbots under proposals in a government consultation.
The government will also aim to close a legal loophole and force all AI chatbot providers to abide by the Online Safety Act or face the consequences of breaking the law.
The prime minister pledged that no online platform would get a “free pass” when it comes to children’s safety on the internet.
“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,” he said.
It comes in the aftermath of the biggest challenge to Mr Starmer’s leadership after the fallout from new documents released in the Epstein files. The prime minister urged Labour to unite against Reform.
Nigel Farage’s party are set to hold a press conference later on Monday.
