The government is preparing to introduce sweeping new measures targeting AI chatbots and social media platforms, as part of a renewed push to strengthen protections for children online.
The announcement follows Labour’s recent move to pressure X into restricting the AI bot Grok from posting non-consensual, intimate images. On Monday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer will set out broader proposals aimed at helping young people navigate the digital world more safely.
Central to the plan is closing a legal loophole that currently allows some AI chatbot providers to avoid illegal content duties under the Online Safety Act. Ministers intend to amend the Crime and Policing Bill to ensure all chatbot services comply with the same standards — or face breaking the law.
Online Safety Act Reform: Government Targets AI Chatbot Loopholes
Under the proposed changes, AI chatbot companies would be legally required to meet obligations on illegal content, bringing them fully in line with existing online safety laws.
Starmer said: “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.”
The government also plans to give ministers new powers through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, enabling faster changes to social media legislation if backed by MPs.
Potential measures could include setting a minimum age for social media use and restricting features such as infinite scrolling. However, any reforms will depend on findings from a digital wellbeing consultation due to launch in March, involving parents, young people and civil society organisations.
Minimum Social Media Age and Digital Wellbeing Consultation Plans
Ministers will consult on how tech companies can better prevent children from sending or receiving nude images, as well as address the broader range of risks they face online.
The government will also examine how to preserve critical online data if it is linked to a child’s death.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “We will not wait to take the action families need, so we will tighten the rules on AI chatbots and we are laying the ground so we can act at pace on the results of the consultation on young people and social media.
“We are determined to give children the childhood they deserve and to prepare them for the future at time of rapid technological change.”
Alongside legislative proposals, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has launched the “You Won’t Know Until You Ask” campaign. The initiative provides practical advice for parents on safety settings and offers conversation prompts to help discuss online risks with children.
Opposition Criticism Over Under-16 Social Media Ban Delay
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. Tory shadow education secretary Laura Trott described the plans as “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,” Trott said.
“Labour have repeatedly said they do not have a view on whether under-16s should be prevented from accessing social media. That is not good enough. I am clear that we should stop under-16s accessing these platforms.
“The evidence of harm is clear and parents, teachers and children themselves have made their voices heard. Britain is lagging behind while other countries have recognised the risks and begun to act.”
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She added: “Dressing this up as progress while refusing to grasp the central issue risks becoming a Trojan horse for further delay.”
Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson also questioned the government’s approach, saying it showed ministers were still “kicking the can down the road”.
She said: “There is no time to waste, but the government continues to kick the can down the road. We need a much clearer, firm timeline for when they will take action.
“Parliament deserves a real say and the chance to properly scrutinise the Government’s plans. Instead, the prime minister is desperate to buy himself time with his MPs with an approach that will limit oversight now and in the future. Time for a concrete plan by working with us on future-proof protections.”
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