By Paul Sandle and Sam Tabarti

LONDON, June 8 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that major technology companies operating in Britain must prevent children from sharing nude images on their phones, or they will face legislation forcing them to do so.

This announcement comes as part of Starmer's latest efforts to protect children from the harmful effects of technology. The Times reported that Starmer is also seeking to ban certain social media platforms for those under 16.

"Today I call on technology companies operating in this country to introduce controls on devices that prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images," Starmer said in a speech during London Technology Week. "Meeting this challenge is not impossible."

Under the new plans, companies like Apple and Google will be required to develop or implement technological solutions on smartphones and tablets to detect and block nudity from children. Adults will still be able to capture, share, or view nude content through an age verification process.

The government said that if companies do not take the necessary steps to resolve this problem within three months, it will introduce legislation to force them to do so, impose fines on the companies, or, as a last resort, bring their directors to criminal accountability.

Google said it maintains a firm commitment to protecting children online.

Apple has not commented on the matter. The company has tools designed to limit children's exposure to pornographic content, including a feature that alerts users when nudity is detected in sent or received images.