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Starmer Pushes for Safer Social Media for Kids

4/19/2026

Summary

Starmer Advocates Online Safety

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with tech executives, prompting the government to urge more young people to participate in the online safety consultation.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said social media must be safer for children, stating that 'things cannot go on like this'.
Nearly 50,000 responses have been submitted, but only about 6,000 come from children as of May 26, 2026.
The government is considering a ban on under-16s' social media, mirroring Australia.

Summary

UK Government Invests AI

The UK government has launched a £500 million Sovereign AI fund to boost domestic AI companies and enhance economic growth.
The Sovereign AI Unit will operate as a venture capital fund, providing direct access to supercomputers and research and development (R&D) support.
Seven companies, including Callosum and Wayve, are the first recipients of funding.
The government will fast-track visas for top R&D talent.

History

Historical Context

In 2023, the UK government initiated a £500 million Sovereign AI fund to support domestic AI companies, reflecting a growing emphasis on technology regulation. This follows the EU's 2018 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which prioritized data protection. These developments highlight the increasing recognition of the need for robust frameworks to ensure online safety and foster innovation in AI.

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Starmer Advocates Online Safety

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer met with tech executives, prompting the government to urge more young people to participate in the online safety consultation.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said social media must be safer for children, stating that 'things cannot go on like this'.
Nearly 50,000 responses have been submitted, but only about 6,000 come from children as of May 26, 2026.
The government is considering a ban on under-16s' social media, mirroring Australia.

1 / 3