Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to push forward with social media restrictions for millions of Britons.
The Prime Minister has called on big tech companies operating in the UK to introduce device controls that prevent children from sending and receiving explicit images.
In a speech at London Tech Week, the Prime Minister said: "One issue is the ability for children with phones to send and receive nude images.
"For too long, people have been told that is simply the price of modern tech, that nothing can be done, that Government is powerless, that parents just have to accept it."
Sir Keir said: "I reject that completely, because tech should adapt to the needs of society, not the other way around.”
He added: "That is why today I am calling on tech companies operating in this country to introduce device controls that prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images.
"Because this is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it.
"But if they choose not to, then we will act and we will change the law because when it comes to the safety of our children, standing by is not an option.”
Sir Keir Starmer has announced plans to push forward with social media restrictions for millions of Britons
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Companies have been given a three-month deadline to implement changes before legislation is introduced.
The Prime Minister highlighted that Britain would become the first nation globally to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images on their devices.
Under the proposals, technology giants including Apple and Google would be required to activate existing features or develop technical solutions to detect and block explicit content on smartphones and tablets, with nudity blocked by default across entire devices.
Adults over 18 would retain access to such content following age verification.
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The Prime Minister has called on big tech companies operating in the UK to introduce device controls
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Should companies fail to comply by the deadline, ministers have indicated that fines would be imposed.
They added that "nothing is off the table" regarding enforcement measures.
Officials are also examining potential criminal liability for tech executives who refuse to implement the required changes.
Government figures reveal that 91 per cent of online child sexual abuse reports in 2024 involved self-generated content from children, with the average child now encountering pornography by age 13.
Companies have been given a three-month deadline to implement changes before legislation is introduced
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Home Office officials said they are already working on draft legislation, but would not say how long it might take to become law.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “As a society, we have not kept pace with the changing threats that children face.
"Abuse online is far too common and we will not tolerate it.
“Tech companies have a moral duty to act, by making it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images. If they don’t, we will legislate.”
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