Keir Starmer delivers stark ultimatum to tech giants in Downing Street showdown

Keir Starmer delivers stark ultimatum to tech giants in Downing Street showdownPrime Minister Keir Starmer has told tech bosses that 'things can’t go on like this' as he summoned them into Downing Street to talk about the risks children face onlineCommentsNewsSophie Huskisson Political Correspondent15:06, 16 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesThe Prime Minister hinted at the possibility of measures to “restrict” children’s access to social media sites (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Keir Starmer has told tech bosses that “things can’t go on like this” as he summoned them into Downing Street to talk about the risks children face online.‌The Prime Minister hinted at the possibility of measures to “restrict” children’s access to social media sites as pressure mounts on him to take action. He hauled senior figures from X, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Google – which owns YouTube – into No10 on Thursday to demand further protections for kids.‌Opening the meeting, Mr Starmer told the tech bosses: “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.”READ MORE: Which social media sites could face UK ban - as PM meets Facebook and GoogleView 2 ImagesKeir Starmer hauled senior figures from X, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and Google into Downing Street(Image: PA)Downing Street afterwards said the “key ask” was that companies “must be able to show real-world changes that make their platforms safer for children” and that “there must be no delay in them taking action”. “The message was simple - no free pass, no delay in putting children'...