UK PM: "No platform gets a free pass" (www.gov.uk)

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced significant new measures to enhance online safety for children in response to rapid technological advancements, particularly concerning AI chatbots. These measures include closing existing legal loopholes that currently allow platforms to evade responsibility for harmful content, ensuring that all AI chatbot providers comply with the Online Safety Act under risk of legal consequences. The government plans to act quickly, implementing actions within months based on parent and child feedback from an upcoming consultation on digital wellbeing. The initiative represents a paradigm shift in the UK's approach to child safety online, aiming to make Britain a global leader in this arena. Key aspects of the proposed measures include the enforcement of age restrictions for social media, limiting potentially addictive features like infinite scrolling, and seeking to prevent the exchange of illegal content among underage users. As the government emphasizes swift action rather than long legislative processes, this response signals an urgent recognition of the evolving risks posed by technology and a commitment to safeguard children's wellbeing in a digital age.