Parent who misplaced youngster to on-line problem needs extra to be accomplished to maintain youngsters secure on-line
Ellen Roome, who arrange marketing campaign group Jools’ Law after the dying of her 14-year-old son, mentioned extra have to be accomplished to cease younger folks being harmed by social media.
Ms Roome mentioned forward of Sir Keir Starmer setting out new plans to stop harms: “This is about truth. This is about accountability.
“This is about holding social media companies accountable when we can prove the harms they are fed online.
“But because of Jools, and because of relentless campaigning, other families will now have access to answers.
“Whilst this is a massive step forward, we must ultimately do more to stop children being harmed or dying in the first place.
“Preservation after death matters. Prevention before harm matters even more.
“And I fully support Lord Nash’s amendment to raise the age limit to 16 for the most harmful platforms. We must be brave enough to go further.”
Ms Roome, from Gloucestershire, believes her 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died whereas trying an internet problem in 2022, and she or he is certainly one of a gaggle of British dad and mom suing TikTok within the US.
Rebecca Whittaker16 February 2026 09:39
Watch: ‘Obey the legislation of the land’: Liz Kendall warns social media giants to adjust to UK legal guidelines or face nationwide ban
Rebecca Whittaker16 February 2026 09:37
Technology Secretary ‘actually involved’ in regards to the influence of AI chatbots on youngsters
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall mentioned she and Sir Keir Starmer are “really concerned” in regards to the influence of AI chatbots on youngsters.
Asked whether or not the Government would cease chatbots from producing probably dangerous weight loss plan recommendation, Ms Kendall mentioned dangerous content material definitions are already “in place”.
She instructed Times Radio: “We already know that children have received content around self-harm and suicide, and we’ve taken action on that immediately.
“And I am concerned about these AI chatbots.
“Some are already covered by the (Online Safety) Act if they have user-to-user sharing or live search.
“But when it’s just that one-on-one with AI chatbots, I’m really concerned, as is the Prime Minister, about the impact that is having on children and young people.
“And I would say, we’re taking steps so that any illegal content shared by AI chatbots, for anyone – adults too – will be stopped.”
Technology corporations might want to “make sure that anything that they produce is prevented” from main youngsters in direction of hurt, Ms Kendall added.
“They will be regulated by Ofcom, and so that is why the Prime Minister has said, ‘you don’t get a free pass here – you are responsible for your technology’,” she added.
Rebecca Whittaker16 February 2026 09:36
Starmer to drive all AI chatbot suppliers to abide by the Online Safety Act
The prime minister has pledged to drive all AI chatbot suppliers to abide by the Online Safety Act.
Keir Starmer mentioned: “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.”
Rebecca Whittaker16 February 2026 09:35
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/starmer-social-media-ban-reform-covid-politics-latest-updates-b2921038.html