Make tech platforms offer safe services before children can use them, PM told

Campaigners have told Sir Keir Starmer that tech platforms should not have an automatic right to offer their services to children and must instead earn it.

Charities and campaign groups said the platforms should demonstrate that they adhere to strict safety standards before children can make accounts.

Their proposals sent to the Prime Minister said tech platforms must not offer addictive design features to under-16s.

This includes infinite scrolling, streaks, autoplay of videos and push notifications.

The platforms should also not give children features that risk their safety such as disappearing messages, location sharing and contact from strangers.

It is the first joint letter to Sir Keir by organisations that disagree on whether social media should be banned for under-16s, as it was in Australia.

The letter said a binary debate on whether to stop children from using social media can oversimplify a complex issue.

Chief executive of the NSPCC Chris Sherwood said in a statement: “Children and parents are calling out for help to address the increasing risks they see and experience online. Now it is time for tech companies to act.”

Last year, the charity’s Childline service offered 4,300 counselling sessions to children and young people in the UK about concerns of online harms, he said.

Published: 20/05/2026 by Radio NewsHub