The UK government has issued a formal warning to major tech companies, including Apple and Google, requiring them to activate built-in safety tools on smartphones and tablets that can detect and block nude images involving children. The companies have been given a three-month deadline to comply or face new laws mandating the measures.

The directive, announced by the Home Office on Monday, is part of efforts to strengthen online child protection. The government said it wants to make it significantly harder for minors to view, create, or share explicit content on personal devices.

Officials stated that many of these safety features already exist on modern devices but are not consistently turned on for younger users. They are now demanding that tech firms ensure these protections are enabled by default.

A Home Office statement emphasized that companies must act quickly, warning that failure to do so would lead to legislation enforcing compliance.

In response to concerns raised about privacy, the department rejected claims that the proposal amounts to surveillance, insisting that the measures are strictly designed to protect children from online exploitation and harmful content.

Alongside this initiative, the government has also announced plans to introduce its first nationwide guidance on healthy screen use for children aged between five and sixteen. The guidance is expected to offer parents practical advice on issues such as social media usage, sleep routines, and the appropriate age for giving children their first smartphone.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said modern parents are dealing with challenges that earlier generations never faced and need clear, reliable guidance to support their children’s digital wellbeing.

The forthcoming guidance will be developed with input from an independent expert group co-chaired by the Children’s Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, and Professor Russell Viner.

Ministers are also reviewing the role of digital technology in schools, with discussions ongoing about how to ensure that tools used in classrooms remain safe, effective, and backed by evidence.

The government maintains that technology can play a positive role in education when used responsibly, including improving learning outcomes, encouraging creativity, and supporting children with special educational needs.

Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said the aim is to help families build healthier relationships with digital devices, stressing the importance of balanced screen time for children’s wellbeing.

This latest move builds on existing policies such as phone-free classroom rules, the Online Safety Act, and earlier guidance for parents of young children under five.

Government data suggests strong public support for these measures, with the majority of respondents backing existing guidance and agreeing that it helps promote healthier digital habits among families.

Officials say feedback from the ongoing consultation will guide future decisions on children’s screen use, online safety, and the integration of technology in education.