Government to host summit about preserving kids secure on-line in age of AI | EUROtoday

The Government has urged extra younger folks to have their say about methods to keep secure on-line after the Prime Minister informed tech bosses the dangers kids face on social media “can’t go on like this”.

Despite almost 50,000 responses to a Government session on preserving kids secure on-line, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has known as on extra younger folks to answer earlier than it closes in 5 weeks, as a result of the respondents to this point embody solely round 6,000 kids.

The plea comes forward of a Childhood within the Age of AI summit on Monday, the place Ms Kendall and the NSPCC will meet younger folks to debate how AI and expertise are shaping childhood.

In preparation for Monday’s summit, Ms Kendall stated: “What you tell us will shape what happens next.

“We’re listening, and we will act.”

The occasion, held at Wilton Park in Sussex, can even embody policymakers, tech business representatives and on-line security campaigners.

It follows a gathering on Thursday at Downing Street between Sir Keir Starmer and executives from expertise firms Meta, Snap, Google, TikTok and X, the place the Prime Minister stated issues “must change”.

Sir Keir stated: “Things can’t go on like this, they must change because right now social media is putting our children at risk.

“In a world in which children are protected, even if that means access is restricted, that is preferable to a world where harm is the price of participation.”

The Prime Minister added: “I am determined we will build a better future for our children, and look forward to working with you on this.

“I do think this can be done. I think the question is not whether it is done, the question is how it is done.”

Pressure is constructing for a social media ban for under-16s, however MPs once more rejected a Lords bid to impose one on Wednesday.

Peers have twice voted to introduce an age restrict within the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, however each efforts have been seen off within the Commons.

The session will collect public opinion on a ban, whereas additionally have a look at methods to restrict addictive design options on AI chatbots and video games.

Ms Kendall stated: “I want every young person to hear this clearly: we are determined to keep you safe online and prepare you for the future. It’s not a question of if we will act but how.

“This week, the Prime Minister and I told tech companies that children’s safety must come first. No excuses, and no delays.

“But we want to understand what life online really feels like for you, so we can make it better. What you tell us will shape what happens next. We’re listening, and we will act.”

The Government has significantly known as on households within the Midlands, North West, Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to answer the session, as a result of solutions from these areas are decrease relative to the scale of the inhabitants.

Since Thursday’s assembly, the Prime Minister has written to the worldwide social media chief executives asking them to make use of their full assets to assist younger folks.