Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Online Safety: Children 2026-07-01

Wednesday 1 July 2026 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK government announced a ban on social media for under-16s, banning livestreaming and stranger communication for under-16s, and making Britain the first country to ban sexualized chatbots for under-18s.
  • Young people's voices have been and will continue to be heard in decisions about online safety, with 14,000 children and young people responding to a consultation.
  • The government intends to look at further measures to address misinformation and disinformation, including consulting on the issue of digital content labeling this summer.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 John Grady Lab Glasgow East
Children & Families
Context

The MP raised concerns about the steps needed to protect children from harmful content and activities online, referencing recent governmental announcements.

Question

What steps she is taking to keep children safe online. The government announced a ban on social media for under-16s, banning livestreaming and stranger communication, making Britain the first country to ban sexualised chatbots for under-18s.

Answer from Liz Kendall

Last month, I announced a defining moment for children and families, banning social media companies from providing their services to under-16s, banning livestreaming and stranger communication for under-16s on services, including gaming, and making Britain the first country in the world to ban sexualised chatbots for under-18s. This Government, and I personally, will continue to take all the measures necessary to keep children safe online.

Answered
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Q2 Becky Gittins Lab Clwyd East
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP met with students from Ysgol Maes Garmon who raised concerns about harmful content, addictive algorithms, and lack of scrolling limits. They questioned the government's ability to hear their voices.

Question

Will the Secretary of State assure me that the voices of our young people are heard in any decisions about how to keep them safe online? The students from Ysgol Maes Garmon raised issues such as harmful content, addictive algorithms and lack of scrolling limits.

Answer from Liz Kendall

I pay tribute to the work that my hon. Friend has done on these issues. Young people's voices have been, and will continue to be, heard. We had 14,000 children and young people respond to our consultation and they raised issues such as the ones mentioned by my hon. Friend. We want to give children the best possible start in life. There are further measures that I hope to announce, including on breaks in infinite scrolling, and I look forward to making a further statement to the House.

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Q3 John Grady Lab Glasgow East
Democracy & Elections Culture, Media & Sport Science & Technology
Context

The MP acknowledged the proposed ban on social media for under-16s but raised concerns about young people aged 16 and over also needing protection. He urged further regulation to secure clear labelling of AI-generated content.

Question

May I encourage the Secretary of State to pursue with utter conviction further regulation to crack down on misinformation, secure the clear labelling of AI-generated content and ensure transparency of algorithms? The proposed ban for under-16s is welcome but young people aged 16 and over also need protection.

Answer from Liz Kendall

I welcome my hon. Friend's urging. We do indeed intend to look at further measures about this. As I have said, including to the Chair of the Select Committee, I will look once again at the challenges around misinformation and disinformation; this summer we will be consulting on the very issue of digital replicas and launching a taskforce on labelling AI content. That is part of the work we are doing around the creative sector, but it is also about tackling misinformation and disinformation and protecting our children and our democratic process.

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Q4 Simon Hoare Con North Dorset
Culture, Media & Sport Children & Families
Context

Parents, teachers and young people in North Dorset welcomed the Secretary of State's recent announcement on online safety. This area is rapidly evolving.

Question

Parents, teachers and young people across North Dorset welcomed the Secretary of State's announcement last month. This is clearly a fast-moving area of communication. Will the Secretary of State assure the House that this will be an iterative and evolutionary process with Government deploying resources so we are well placed to meet new challenges and our young people are safe and protected?

Answer from Liz Kendall

The hon. Gentleman makes an important point, which is that this is not a 'one and done', because technology changes fast. The Online Safety Act 2023 took eight years from initial idea to implementation, which is not good enough. Powers in the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 address features and functions, but I am sure there is more we can do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details on iterative process or resource deployment

How: As Always, The Hon. Gentleman Makes An Important Point, I Have Looked Seriously At The Fact That The Online Safety Act 2023 Took Eight Years From Initial Idea To Implementation

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Q5 Freddie Van Mierlo Lib Dem Henley and Thame
Women & Equalities Children & Families
Context

The documentary “Inside the Manosphere” showed that within 15 minutes of searching for gym content on YouTube, young boys could be exposed to misogynistic content.

Question

Within 15 minutes of looking at YouTube, young boys can see misogynistic content when they are simply trying to search for gym content. Will the Secretary of State confirm that the ban on social media will include platforms that do not require an account, so children can be protected from this?

Answer from Liz Kendall

I saw the documentary and agree it is concerning. We are looking at a range of measures including advertising and money issues, which drive much of this. A taskforce chaired by my right hon. Friend for Edinburgh South looks specifically at these matters.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm whether the ban on social media will include platforms without accounts

How: I Saw The Documentary And Absolutely Agree How Concerning It Is, A Taskforce Chaired By My Right Hon. Friend For Edinburgh South Looks Specifically At These Matters

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Q6 Ben Spencer Con Runnymede and Weybridge
Culture, Media & Sport Children & Families
Context

The Secretary of State's ministerial team faces the possibility that their work may not be saved if a new government takes over.

Question

This might be the last time this Department for Science, Innovation and Technology ministerial team get the chance to face us at the Dispatch Box. Has the Secretary of State spoken to the virtual Prime Minister about the work under way to restrict social media for under-16s following a successful campaign by parents, families, and the Conservative Opposition?

Answer from Liz Kendall

Of course I have talked to my right hon. Friend the Member for Makerfield, because I am focusing on doing the right thing for children and families in this country.

Not addressed: Did not confirm whether the Secretary of State spoke with the virtual Prime Minister about social media restrictions for under-16s

How: Of Course I Have Talked To My Right Hon. Friend The Member For Makerfield, Because I Am Focusing On Doing The Right Thing For Children And Families In This Country

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Q7 Victoria Collins Lib Dem Harpenden and Berkhamsted
Culture, Media & Sport Science & Technology
Context

Students in Harpenden and Berkhamsted have expressed concerns about AI chatbots, which aligns with broader discussions on online safety.

Question

This might be the last time we face this ministerial team, but I hope that they will stay, because I know they have done a lot of hard work on online safety. With that in mind, I have recently spoken to students in Harpenden and Berkhamsted, who passionately shared their fears and hopes around AI chatbots. With the Labour leadership transition putting any major announcements on hold, what guarantees can the Secretary of State give that, alongside the support of the right hon. Member for Makerfield—the Prime Minister in waiting—there will be an announcement in July about AI online safety, and vital protections will not be sidelined?

Answer from Liz Kendall

I share the concerns of the good people of the hon. Member's constituency about AI chatbots. I will come back with a further statement to the House about the things I said in my last statement, not only looking at further steps on AI chatbots—we have banned sexualised companion chatbots and the features within general chatbots that allow that to happen—but on overnight curfews, brakes on infinite scrolling and various other things. I will make the fullest possible update to the House on those measures, as I said I would.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for a guarantee of an announcement in July was not addressed directly.

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