𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Sir Keir Starmer’s plans to protect children online has been branded “a Trojan horse for further delay” by the Conservatives.

Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott called the Government’s proposal for a crackdown on AI chatbots “smoke and mirrors”.

The PM will tell parents and children on Monday that he will move fast to shut a legal loophole and force all AI chatbot providers to abide by illegal content duties in the Online Safety Act or face the consequences of breaking the law.

The Prime Minister will say that his government is taking new legal powers to lay the groundwork for immediate action following its consultation on children’s wellbeing online.

But Ms Trott said: “This is 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.

“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.

“I welcome the decision to preserve children’s online data following their death before it is deleted. That is the right decision but we should never have to rely on such a law. No child should die in this way in the first place. Dressing this up as progress while refusing to grasp the central issue risks becoming a Trojan horse for further delay.

“When the Bill returns, MPs should vote to protect childhood and stand with parents, rather than endorse more uncertainty with no indication that the Government will act to stop under-16s accessing social media.”

Ministers’ consultation will also include examining restrictions on children’s use of AI chatbots, as well as options to age restrict or limit children’s VPN use where it undermines safety protections and changing the age of digital consent.

The government will ensure vital data following a child’s death is preserved before it can be deleted, except in cases where online activity is clearly not relevant to the death.

Sir Keir said: “As a dad of two teenagers, I know the challenges and the worries that parents face making sure their kids are safe online.

“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.”