The UK government has issued a warning to technology giants including Apple and Google, giving them three months to activate built-in safeguards on smartphones and tablets that can detect and block nude images from being viewed, shared or created by children — or face legislation compelling them to do so.
The move, announced by the Home Office on its website and X, on Monday, positioned Britain as the first country in the world to seek nationwide protections designed to make it significantly harder for children to take, share or view nude images on their devices.
“Tech companies like Apple and Google have three months,” the Home Office said.
“Activate safeguards on smartphones and tablets to detect and block nude images for children or we will bring forward legislation to force you to do so.”
The government said it had formally demanded that technology firms switch on existing safety features already available on many devices but not universally activated for young users.
Officials argued that the measures are necessary to protect children from exploitation, online harms and the growing prevalence of explicit content among minors.
Addressing privacy concerns, the Home Office rejected claims that the proposal amounts to surveillance.
“Some claim this to be an invasion of privacy — but it isn’t,” the department said.
The announcement comes as the government unveiled plans for its first-ever national guidance on healthy screen use for children aged five to 16, with parents expected to receive practical advice on issues ranging from social media use and sleep habits to the age at which children should receive their first smartphone.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said parents were facing challenges previous generations never encountered and needed practical support to navigate an increasingly digital childhood.
“Parents are trying to navigate challenges previous generations never faced, and they deserve clear, practical support they can trust,” she said.
The guidance, due to be published this autumn, will be informed by an independent expert group co-chaired by Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza and Professor Russell Viner.
Alongside the consultation, ministers are also examining the role of technology in schools and considering additional measures to ensure digital tools used in classrooms are safe, effective and evidence-based.
The government maintains that technology can deliver significant benefits when used responsibly, including improving learning outcomes, supporting creativity and providing personalised assistance for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said the goal was to help families establish healthier relationships with technology.
“We want every child to grow up happy and healthy and that means supporting families to make screen time work for them,” she said.
The latest intervention builds on existing government measures including phone-free classroom policies, the Online Safety Act and earlier guidance for parents of children under five.
According to government polling, 86 per cent of respondents support the existing guidance for younger children, while 82 per cent believe it is helping families develop healthier digital habits.
The government said evidence gathered from the new consultation will help shape future policy on children’s screen use, online safety and the deployment of technology in schools.
