Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been accused of putting thousands of children at risk after a 12‑month hold‑up in enforcing tech‑company safeguards against online sexual abuse. campaigners say the delay left young users exposed to paedophiles.

Starmer’s One‑Year Delay Leaves Thousands Vulnerable

According to the report, the Prime Minister announced the measures on Monday in west London, but the proposals had been submitted to Downing Street more than a year ago. In that time, the National Crime Agency (NCA) received tens of thousands of referrals of online child sexual abuse from the US‑based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, which reports 1,700 cases per week to the UK. that equates to one case every six minutes, described as just the tip of the iceberg by sources.

Critics Call the Delay Cowardice and Weakness

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp slammed the delay, saying Starmer ordered his MPs to vote down Conservative plans to ban social media for under‑16s. While he dawdled, thousands of British children have been endangered online, including grooming for sexual abuse. Philp called it cowardice and weakness, accusing the Prime Minister of sucking up to big tech. He demanded an apology and an immediate ban on social media for under‑16s.

Former Minister Jess Phillips Highlights “Incremental Change”

Former Home Office minister Jess Phillips, who resigned last month, also criticised the lack of action. In her resignation letter, she wrote that over a year ago she presented solutions to end the ability for children to take naked images, but it took a year to get agreement even to threaten legislation. She called it the definition of incremental change and questioned how many children were left without a safety net while the government dilly‑dallied.

Potential Impact of the Delay Remains Uncertain

While the full impact of the delay is unknowable, an online safety expert noted that thousands of kids have likely been exposed to sexual abuse and other horrific outcomes that could have been prevented with swifter action. The NCA spokesman said that each month, these referrals lead to 1,200 children being safeguarded from abuse and 1,000 arrests.

New Measures to Force Tech Companies to Act

Under the plans, Apple, Google and other tech firms have three months to voluntarily introduce age verification on devices, or face legal compulsion. Companies could face fines or criminal convictions for executives, including jail sentences, if they ignore new laws. The restrictions would apply to new and existing devices via software updates, requiring age verification to capture or display nude images unless the user is verified as over 18.