What social media regulations has Keir Starmer proposed?

Starmer has initiated a consultation aimed at considering the establishment of a minimum age requirement for social media platforms.

However, prior to the results of this consultation being made public, ministers are preparing to include a clause in the current children’s wellbeing and schools bill that would grant them the ability to implement a ban expeditiously, should the consultation yield such a recommendation.

These ‘Henry VIII powers’ enable the government to enact secondary legislation to impose an age limit without the necessity of drafting a completely new piece of legislation. While this could streamline the ban’s enforcement, critics have expressed concerns that it may diminish Parliament’s oversight role.

In addition, the government’s recent announcement indicates that the consultation will also explore measures to restrict infinite scrolling for users under 16 years old, as well as impose age restrictions on virtual private networks (VPNs), which can be used to bypass existing online limitations.

According to Downing Street, members of Parliament and peers will have an opportunity to vote on whatever actions are proposed following the consultation.

Nevertheless, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister was unable to confirm whether a full debate in either house would be held regarding the measures or if amendments would be considered.

“Both houses will need to approve the secondary legislation that will implement these policies,” stated No 10.

“Acting now through appropriate parliamentary processes will allow us to swiftly respond based on the outcomes of the consultation.”

2. Extending online safety rules to AI chatbots

Just last month, Keir Starmer engaged in a notable conflict with Elon Musk, and many would argue he emerged victorious.

The Prime Minister spearheaded calls for Musk’s company to cease the production of fake sexualized images via its Grok AI tool—a request that led to X agreeing to comply within the UK.

At that time, ministers claimed that the Online Safety Act empowered regulatory bodies to take action against X. However, Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, acknowledged that while it could address chatbots utilized for internet searches, it lacked the authority to deal with AI-generated content.

The Online Safety Act obliges social media platforms to implement measures that prevent minors from accessing harmful content, including pornography and self-harm-related material. The government now seeks to expand these regulations to encompass chatbots as well.

“These AI chatbots are developing relationships with children, leading them to explore areas that are not suitable for their age,” Starmer remarked during an interview with the BBC on Monday.

In April 2022, tragedy struck when 14-year-old Jools Sweeney was discovered deceased in his bedroom. His mother, Ellen Roome, believes that a viral TikTok challenge played a role in his death, but she has been unable to access Jools’s social media account data which might substantiate her claims.

Since this heartbreaking incident, Roome has advocated for “Jools’s Law,” which would mandate online platforms to retain a child’s account data immediately following the report of their death. The government is now prepared to modify the crime and policing bill, ensuring that the necessary measures are taken to preserve this data within five days of a death being reported, allowing access for a coroner or Ofcom.