Keir Starmer has pledged action on young people’s access to social media in “months, not years”, while saying this did not necessarily mean a complete ban on access for under-16s.

• Speaking at an event in London after the government promised to extend the crackdown to AI chatbots that place children at risk, Starmer said the issue was nuanced and that a ban was not definite, noting concerns from charities such as the NSPCC.
• He added: “There are powerful arguments on both sides. Some people simply say just get all under-16s off social media, and that’s the end of it. NSPCC, obviously an organisation very concerned with children’s protection, says no, it’ll push children to even darker places.

Downing Street plans to quickly implement changes from a consultation by amending two bills: the children’s wellbeing and schools bill, and the crime and policing bill. These amendments will give ministers power to act on social media issues and AI chatbot loopholes. Starmer emphasised this would enable action within months, not years