The UK government has launched an expansive consultation on the subject of how technology is impacting the safety of children, the results of which could have far-reaching consequences in the AI, social media and video game sectors.
Described by the government as the “world’s most ambitious consultation” of its kind, it aims to gather views from parents, guardians and young people on how to keep children safe across digital platforms including social media, AI chatbots and online gaming.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer recently announced in a blog post the government’s intentions to address the safety concerns of digital spaces, suggesting that legislation could be introduced to restrict access to AI chatbots and social media sites for children.
The new consultation follows from the prime minister’s announcement and will attempt to address concerns including addictive algorithms, screen time impacting sleep, cognitive function and mental health and digital spaces exposing children to risk of harm.
The key questions set to be explored include whether there should be a minimum age for social media, whether platforms should be required to turn off addictive features for children, whether children should be allowed unrestricted access to AI chatbots and examining the efficacy of age verification.
“We know parents everywhere are grappling with how much screen time their children should have, when they should give them a phone, what they are seeing online, and the impact all of this is having,” said Tech Secretary Liz Kendall.
“This is why we’re asking children and parents to take part in this landmark consultation on how young people can thrive in an age of rapid technological change.
“Together, we will create a digital world that gives young people the childhood they deserve and prepares them for the future.”
The consultation will take place over a three-month period, set to close on 26 May 2026. The government will respond in the summer and act based on the evidence gathered.
An academic panel has also been established to examine the success of international child safety measures, including in Australia, which has already banned social media for under-16s.
Read more: Lessons from Australia ahead of a potential UK under-16s social media ban
