The UK government has called on major technology companies, including Apple and Google, to take stronger action to prevent children from accessing, sharing, or creating sexually explicit images on smartphones and other digital devices.
Speaking at London Tech Week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged tech firms to activate existing safety features or update their operating systems to better protect users under the age of 18.
“This is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it,” he said.
The government has given the companies three months to voluntarily implement the measures. If they fail to do so, ministers say legislation will be introduced to make the protections mandatory.
Potential penalties could include fines and, in extreme cases, criminal liability for companies that fail to comply.
According to the Prime Minister, the proposed measures would apply to both existing and newly sold smartphones and tablets in the UK, while adults who verify their age would not be affected.
The government said any legislation could extend beyond operating system providers to include other players in the supply chain, such as retailers.
Responding to the announcement, Google said it remains committed to protecting children online and is working with UK authorities to develop solutions that balance child safety with user privacy.
Apple already operates age-verification measures for UK users and provides tools that can block the sharing of explicit content through services such as iMessage.
The move comes as the UK continues efforts to strengthen online safety protections for children. The Online Safety Act, enforced by media regulator Ofcom, already places legal responsibilities on online platforms to safeguard users.
However, child protection advocates have long argued that additional measures are needed to tackle online grooming, sextortion, and the growing number of children exposed to explicit content online.
Government figures show that 91 percent of online child sexual abuse reports recorded in 2024 involved self-generated content created by children. Officials also cited research suggesting that the average child is exposed to pornography by the age of 13.
The announcement comes amid reports that the government is considering further restrictions on children’s use of social media, with policy proposals expected in the coming days.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said technology companies have a responsibility to make it impossible for children to create, share, or view nude images.
“If they don’t, we will legislate,” she warned.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall echoed that position, calling on companies to activate child protection features by default across all devices used by minors.
“Companies should switch these protections on by default, for every child, on every device. We are giving them three months to show us that they will do the right thing,” she said.
The proposals have drawn mixed reactions.
Andy Burrows, Chief Executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, welcomed the move as a positive step for child protection but urged the government to engage more closely with experts and evidence when developing policy.
Others have raised concerns about privacy and online freedoms. Silkie Carlo, Director of Big Brother Watch, argued that the plans risk introducing broader identity checks for internet users without addressing the root causes of online harm.
Meanwhile, the NSPCC strongly backed the proposals. Its Chief Executive, Chris Sherwood, said technology firms must now be held accountable for delivering meaningful improvements in child safety.
“Time is up for big tech,” he said, urging swift action to protect young people online.
The issue has also generated political debate in recent months. Former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigned from her role earlier this year, accusing the government of being slow to pursue legislation aimed at preventing children from taking and sharing explicit images of themselves, despite the availability of technology that could help address the problem.