Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said technology companies have had more than enough time to make their platforms safe for children.
The warning comes as the UK government prepares an announcement to restrict social media use for teenagers. This move signals a shift toward stricter regulatory oversight of digital platforms to protect minors from online harms.
Speaking during an interview on the BBC program "Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg," Nandy targeted the slow pace of safety implementations by major tech firms. She said tech companies have had "more than enough time to get their house in order" [1].
Nandy linked the ability to target young audiences directly to the safety of the software. She said if the firms are not prepared to ensure their products are safe, they lose the right to market their products towards children [2].
The remarks serve as a precursor to a planned announcement from the prime minister regarding new restrictions on social media use by minors [3]. The government aims to pressure companies into proactive safety measures before legislative mandates are enforced.
Nandy did not specify the exact nature of the upcoming restrictions, but the focus remains on the responsibility of the platforms to protect their youngest users [1]. The administration is positioning safety as a prerequisite for market access in the teenage demographic [3].
“Tech companies have had "more than enough time to get their house in order".”
This rhetoric indicates that the UK government is moving away from voluntary industry codes of conduct toward a model of conditional market access. By framing the ability to market to children as a privilege contingent on safety, the government is establishing a legal and political basis for potential bans or heavy fines if platforms do not meet specific safety benchmarks.
