Good morning. Keir Starmer’s planned address next week on youth access to social media will face scrutiny over its potential effect on an upcoming byelection as well as child protection. Following an ultimatum to technology companies yesterday requiring them to stop minors from sharing explicit images, officials are set to announce further measures on social platforms soon. Reports indicate the plans will avoid a complete prohibition for those under 16 but will introduce stricter oversight, with Downing Street stating Starmer is prepared to confront major technology firms. Concerns about unrestricted algorithms and constant scrolling affect people of all ages, making the outcome for young users a key issue. Starmer has met families who linked their children’s deaths to social media activity. Additional factors include slow legislative progress compared with rapid online developments and broad agreement across generations on the need for prompt steps, as young people outline specific protections required in a digital environment. Global technology editor Dan Milmo, present at London Tech Week after Starmer’s speech, discussed these points. Headlines include UK politics, where Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed inviting King Charles for a state visit to Ukraine this year. In the Middle East, Israel and Iran paused strikes following a call from Donald Trump. A UK report highlighted bias in family courts that often harms women. In US news, Trump faced boos at an NBA finals event. A pilot program for local job support in England showed positive early results for young participants and may expand. The Online Safety Act, described as a foundational step in regulating youth online access, has operated for 11 months. Campaigners and parents argue current rules fall short. The law requires platforms to block minors from harmful material such as pornography and content promoting self-harm. It remains early in implementation, with new issues emerging including AI chatbots in recent consultations. Research tracking young people’s media habits shows AI use rising sharply. Understanding of technology’s effects on development remains limited, creating challenges for families and officials. Parents Ros and Mark Dowey, whose son died after online exploitation, have questioned outright bans, favoring measures that build skills rather than sudden restrictions. Campaigners increasingly support limiting risky features like endless scrolling for under-16s instead of full blocks.
