Rushcliffe’s MP, James Naish, has welcomed new government action to protect children online, following a smartphone and social media roundtable he hosted with families and schools across the constituency last month.
On 16th February 2026, the Prime Minister announced plans to close loopholes in online safety laws by cracking down on harmful AI content. The government will force all AI chatbot providers to abide by illegal content duties in the Online Safety Act or face the consequences of breaking the law.
James Naish MP said that this type of action by technology companies was widely supported at the roundtable which took place in West Bridgford on 23rd January 2026. The two-hour discussion brought parents, teachers and students together from seven secondary schools across Rushcliffe to listen to panellists including Professor Victoria Goodyear, a specialist in physical activity and health education, and Ian Russell, founder of the Molly Rose Foundation, established in memory of teenager Molly Russell who took her own life after viewing harmful content online. After a 45-minute panel session, participants took part in smaller group discussions exploring whether the current approach to children’s digital lives is working and what may need to change.
James Naish MP said: “The message from Rushcliffe parents, teachers and young people was clear: the status quo isn’t working, and technology companies have a key role to play in tidying up the mess that they have created. Families and legislators feel outpaced by fast-moving technology, so tech companies must take a lead in tackling negative online experiences.
“Parents especially want practical solutions quickly. I’m pleased that the government is moving to close loopholes and strengthen protections. We need to give children in Rushcliffe the freedom to grow up safely in a digital world. I’ll continue working with ministers to ensure voices from Rushcliffe are part of shaping future policy decisions.”
The government is also putting new legal powers in place so it can take immediate action following a planned consultation on children’s wellbeing online. As part of the consultation which is expected to launch in March 2026, the government will ask how best to ensure tech companies can safeguard children from sending or receiving harmful images. Other measures likely to be consulted upon include minimum age limits for social media, restrictions on harmful features such as infinite scrolling, stronger protections against the sharing of illegal intimate images, and preserving key data in cases involving the death of a child.
Speaking about the changes, the Prime Minister said: “As a dad of two teenagers, I know the challenges and the worries that parents face making sure their kids are safe online. Technology is moving really fast, and the law has got to keep up. With my government, Britain will be a leader not a follower when it comes to online safety.”
Following next month’s consultation, the government will aim to deliver changes within months rather than years. James Naish MP confirmed that he will continue engaging Rushcliffe schools, parents and campaigners on both sides of the debate to ensure local families remain at the heart of the national debate on online safety.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- New powers, to be tabled in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, will enable the government to act at speed to introduce targeted actions off the back of the upcoming children’s digital wellbeing consultation.
- Action will be guided by the outcomes of the consultation with parents and children, set to launch next month, and subject to an affirmative vote on the floor of the House of Commons, giving MPs a clear say on the proposals.
- The government is tabling an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to allow the government to require chatbots not currently in scope of the Online Safety Act to protect their users from illegal content.
