Keir Starmer warns tech firms he WILL take action on addictive social media for kids after hauling bosses into Downing Street - but admits he doesn't know what he'll do or when

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 13:49, 16 April 2026 | Updated: 13:52, 16 April 2026 Keir Starmer today warned tech firms he is 'going to act' on protecting young people on social media - but admitted he didn't yet know what he's going to do or when. The Prime Minister hauled bosses from X, Snap, TikTok, Google, and Instagram parent company Meta into Downing Street on Thursday morning. He pushed them to go further on protecting children as the Government mulls the introduction of new restrictions. At the top of the meeting, Sir Keir told 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 talks came midway though Labour's consultation on how to protect children online, with potential measures including an Australian-style social media ban for under-16s, limits on addictive features and stronger controls on AI chatbots. Speaking later to LBC, Sir Keir said it was 'not a question of whether there's going to be something done, we are going to act'.  But the PM added: 'The question now is what exactly is that and what is the timescale around it.' Keir Starmer warned tech firms he is 'going to act' on protecting young people on social media - but admitted he didn't yet know what he's going to do or when (From left to right) Ronan Harris, EMEA president of Snap, Wifredo Fernandez, director of global affairs at X, and Alistair Law, TikTok director of public policy and government affairs for northern Europe depart the No10 talks Sir Keir would not commit to action by the summer but pointed to how the Government was already taking powers so it could act 'swiftly' when it decides what to do. He said: 'We took powers earlier in Parliament to make sure we can act very quickly, so this won't be like the Online Safety Act which took years - this is going to be much quicker than that. 'We're not a Government that is going to sit back here, we're going to act... this has to be done and it has to be done swiftly.' The PM suggested he used to limit his own children's social media use when they were younger. 'So far as any parent, all of us are worried about social media,' he added. 'My children are slightly older now. My boy is nearly 18, my girl is 15, so they're a bit older. 'But yes, we talk to them about social media – and when they were younger we had limits on how long they could be on, etc, the same sort of discussions as many parents will be having. 'But this isn't about what individual parents are doing. I think most parents are saying, we want help. 'Most parents are saying, we are concerned about this, please put a framework around it. And that's why I say we are going to act here.' Among those to attend the talks in No10 on Thursday were Wifredo Fernandez, X's director of global government affairs, and Alistair Law, TikTok's director of public policy and government affairs for Northern Europe. They were joined by Markus Reinisch, Meta's vice president for public policy in Europe, and Kate Alessi, vice president and managing director of Google UK and Ireland.  Sir Keir's promise of action came despite MPs again rejecting calls for a default ban on children accessing social media. As part of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, ministers are set to gain a flexible power to curb children's social media use with curfews, scrolling limits and restrictions on location sharing. The Government could also choose to block under-16s from specified platforms. A consultation, set to close next month, was set up to help ministers decide what action they should take. Tory former minister Lord Nash had proposed a default ban on children using the social media platforms deemed harmful, with a 12-month implementation window, which the House of Lords initially agreed to. But the House of Commons has now twice rejected it - during 'ping pong' between the two parliamentary chambers - in favour of the flexible power. On Wednesday night, MPs voted by 256 to 150, majority 106, to side with the Government. Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons: 'Instead of the narrow amendment proposed in the House of Lords, our consultation allows us to address a much wider range of services and features.' She promised the Government would not pursue 'endless rounds of consultation'. But Tory shadow education secretary Laura Trott said: 'I will keep fighting until the Government offers a ban on social media on the face of the Bill.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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