RismadarVoice Reporters
June 8, 2026
The United Kingdom government has given major technology companies, including Apple and Google, a three-month deadline to activate built-in safety tools capable of detecting and blocking nude images from being viewed, shared or created by children on smartphones and tablets.
The warning was issued by the UK Home Office as part of a broader effort to strengthen online child protection and reduce exposure to harmful content.
According to the government, the proposed measures would make Britain the first country to pursue nationwide protections aimed specifically at preventing minors from accessing, generating or distributing nude images through personal devices.
Officials stated that many of the required safety features already exist on modern devices but are not consistently activated for younger users. Technology companies have now been urged to enable those protections voluntarily or face legislation that would make compliance mandatory.
The Home Office dismissed concerns that the policy could infringe on privacy rights, arguing that the safeguards are designed to protect children from exploitation and online harm rather than monitor personal communications.
The announcement coincided with plans for the government’s first national guidance on healthy screen use for children aged between five and sixteen. The guidance is expected to provide parents with practical advice on smartphone ownership, social media use, sleep habits and overall digital wellbeing.
Bridget Phillipson said parents are confronting challenges that previous generations did not face and require trusted guidance to help children navigate the digital world safely.
The guidance will be developed with input from an independent expert group co-chaired by Rachel de Souza and Russell Viner.
The government is also reviewing the role of technology in schools and considering additional measures to ensure digital tools used in education are safe, effective and supported by evidence.
Meanwhile, Sharon Hodgson said the objective is to help families build healthier relationships with technology while ensuring children can benefit from digital innovation in a safe environment.
The initiative builds on existing UK measures such as phone-free classroom policies and the Online Safety Act, which aim to improve online safety for children and young people.
Government polling cited by officials indicates strong public support for guidance designed to help families manage children’s use of digital devices and online platforms.
