Online child safety consultation: The "Govt continues to kick the can down the road"

EMBARGO: 2230 Sunday 15th February 2026 

Responding to the Government's announcement that they will commence a consultation period to assess children's safety online, with the aim to introduce new new legal powers, Munira Wilson MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education, Children and Families, said:

"There is no time to waste, but the Government continues to kick the can down the road. We need a much clearer, firm timeline for when they will take action.

"Parliament deserves a real say and the chance to properly scrutinise the Government's plans. Instead, the Prime Minister is desperate to buy himself time with his MPs with an approach that will limit oversight now and in the future.

“Time for a concrete plan by working with us on future-proof protections. The Liberal Democrat plan for film-style age ratings is the only smart solution to ban harmful social media for under 16s. We must tackle the toxic algorithms that drive doom-scrolling, without blocking the educational guides and family chats teenagers really need."

ENDS