Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to implement a significant crackdown on smartphone and social media use for children and teenagers within months to enhance online safety. Proposed reforms include setting minimum age limits for social media, restricting “infinite scrolling,” and preventing children from using VPNs to access adult content. The government is also closing legal loopholes to force AI chatbot providers to comply with the Online Safety Act, following a dispute with Elon Musk’s Grok. A formal consultation will launch in March, with ministers planning to introduce new powers through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to respond quickly to technological changes. .
Date: February 16, 2026. Source: independent.co.uk