YouTube, owned by Google, has plastered London’s Westminster tube stations with ads that tell parents they should limit their teenagers’ screen time, not the government. The move comes as the UK government readies a decision on whether to ban under‑16s from social media platforms, prompting a chorus of criticism from Labour MPs and a Tory peer who argue tech firms must shoulder responsibility.

Labour MPs condemn YouTube’s “parent‑only” message

Labour MP Jess Asato, who is currently suing Elon Musk’s xAI over a controversial chatbot image, blasted the ads as an attempt by tech firms to dodge accountability. She said , "Once again tech companies are trying to wriggle out of their own responsibilities to protect children from harmful functionality." Fellow backbencher Fleur Anderson echoed the sentiment, comparing the situation to past public‑health battles: "We didn’t leave smoking up to parents to decide."

Lord Nash warns ads cannot mask platform harms

Conservative peer Lord Nash, a leading advocate for an immediate under‑16 ban, called the campaign a "million‑pound lobbying operation" aimed at keeping ministers from intervening. he argued that no amount of advertising can change the reality of how platforms affect young people, adding, "These companies are spending millions telling our politicians not to touch their business model."

Government poised to announce stricter teen social‑media rules

Senior Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is expected to unveil a tighter regulatory framework that would block harmful platforms and enforce robust age‑verification systems . the proposed regime is designed to prevent workarounds that currently let minors bypass restrictions, a point emphasized by Lord Nash in his call for "the tightest regime we can".

YouTube defends its safety record and promotes YouTube Kids

A YouTube spokesperson responded that the company has partnered with independent safety experts for over a decade and highlighted the YouTube Kids app, which targets ages 3‑13 with educational content. the spokesperson suggested that YouTube Kids may be exempt from any forthcoming ban because of its focus on learning, though no official exemption has been confirmed.

Unanswered: How will the UK define “social media” for the ban?

Critics note that the government has not yet clarified whether platforms like YouTube, which host both user‑generated and professional content, fall under the same rules as traditional social networks. Additionally, it remains unclear how age‑verification technology will be enforced across the myriad of apps used by teens.