## 1. The Core Proposals: Beyond "Free Passes"
The government is moving past the existing Online Safety Act 2023 to address emerging risks like AI and addictive design.
Social Media Ban for Under-16s: A formal public consultation launching in March 2026 will explore an "Australian-style" ban. This would potentially restrict anyone under 16 from having social media accounts entirely.
Targeting "Doomscrolling": The plans aim to limit "infinite scroll" features and "streaks" that are designed to be addictive.
AI & VPN Crackdowns: * Consulting on restricting children's access to AI chatbots (following a controversy where X’s Grok AI was used to generate fake nude images).
## 2. What is "Jools' Law"?
A central part of this update is the inclusion of Jools' Law, named after 14-year-old Jools Sweeney, who died in 2022 following a suspected “online challenge.”
| Current Rule | New Proposed Rule |
|---|---|
| Tech companies must delete personal data unless there is a business reason to keep it. | Platforms must preserve data within five days if it is potentially relevant to a child's death. |
| Coroners/Police have up to 12 months to request data. | Data must be secured early to ensure it isn't deleted before an investigation starts. |
| Families often have no legal right to access accounts. | Provides a path for bereaved families to get answers about their child's final digital moments. |
## 3. The Political Battleground
While the Prime Minister views this as a "national conversation," he is facing pressure from both sides of the aisle.
The Lords Defeat: In January 2026, the government was defeated in the House of Lords on an amendment by Lord Nash that would have forced a social media ban for under-16s into law immediately.
Opposition Criticism: * Laura Trott (Shadow Education Secretary): Accused the government of "inaction" and "lagging behind" other nations by consulting rather than acting now.
Munira Wilson (Lib Dems): Claimed the government is "kicking the can down the road" without a firm timeline for when these bans would actually take effect.
Civil Liberties Groups: Some argue a total ban might push children toward "underground" or less regulated parts of the web, making them harder to protect.
Investigating restrictions on VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to stop children from bypassing age-restricted sites, such as pornography.
Speedy Law-Making: Introducing powers to update safety laws rapidly as technology evolves, rather than waiting years for new primary legislation.
## 4. Context: The "Grok" Incident
The Prime Minister specifically cited the government's recent intervention with Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter). After the platform's Grok AI was used to create deepfake nudes of women, the UK government took action to signal that AI tools would not be exempt from safety standards. Starmer's message was clear: "No platform gets a free pass."