UK commits to legislation requiring child safeguards on digital devices

Britain committed on September 8 to preparing primary legislation requiring major technology platforms to build child protections into devices. Digital and culture secretary Lisa Nandy announced the decision in Parliament, advancing a policy that had given industry three months to propose stronger safeguards.

Nandy acknowledged progress by Apple and Google but said their commitments were insufficient. Her published statement also envisages protections in applications used by children. Ministers could reassess the need for legislation if companies implement adequate technical solutions while parliamentary preparations continue.

From deadline to parliamentary action

The original Home Office announcement, published on June 8, sought technology preventing children from taking, sending or viewing nude images on smartphones and tablets. It covered devices already in use as well as future sales. Adults would retain access to such content after verifying their age. That earlier announcement threatened legislation if companies did not act within three months, making September's statement a new implementation decision within an existing policy programme.

The June proposal also contemplated obligations extending beyond operating-system providers to other parts of the supply chain, including retailers. It identified fines as a possible enforcement tool and said criminal liability for executives was being explored as a last resort. These were options in the original government announcement, rather than evidence that Parliament has now enacted particular offences or penalties. The distinction matters for assessing what companies currently face and what still requires legislative decisions.

Part of a wider regulatory programme

A separate government announcement on June 15 set out plans to prevent social-media platforms from serving under-16s and restrict features such as livestreaming and contact from strangers. It anticipated bringing measures before Parliament before Christmas, with protections expected in spring 2027. That timetable concerned the broader programme; it does not establish a commencement date for the device legislation announced this week. Both initiatives place responsibility for protection partly on the design of digital services.

The immediate next step is preparation of the legislative text, which Nandy said should reach Parliament promptly. The practical test will be whether its requirements translate the government's ambition into enforceable protections. Publication of a bill will allow scrutiny of its scope, implementation arrangements and relationship with the wider online-safety programme.