Starmer struggled through his opening remarks on child safety at a Downing Street meeting of social media executives this morning. What was it like when the cameras stopped rolling…
This is what Starmer had to say:
“But things can’t go on like this. They must change. Because right now social media is putting our children at risk. And in a world in which children are protected, even if that means access is restricted, that is preferable to a world where harm is the price of participation. So in everything we do, we need to put children first. Their safety and their protection are paramount. And I’m determined we’ll build a better future for our children. And I look forward to working with you on this. I do think this can be done. I think the question now is not whether it’s done.”
Representatives from Meta, Snapchat, Google (YouTube), TikTok, and X were summoned to the meeting for Starmer to rant at them. An embargoed release from No10 confirmed that the meeting had no substantive purpose apart from for Starmer to tick off the companies…
“During today’s meeting, the Prime Minister and Technology Secretary will set out the government’s principles and values when it comes to protecting children, and press for answers from companies on what they are doing to keep children safe online and responding to families’ concerns.”
They look thrilled to be there…
Lucy Powell on LBC, asked by Tom Swarbrick for her reaction to Labour MP Samantha Niblett’s call for a ‘summer of sex’ debate in Parliament: “I personally don’t own any sex toys, but each to their own… I’m not really sure that’s the right place for it, no.”