MPs have voted against a proposal to ban under-16s from using social media for the second time, siding with the government by 256 to 150. The vote rejected a Lords amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill that would have imposed a default ban on social media platforms for those under 16, giving ministers 12 months to decide which platforms to restrict.
The government is instead pursuing its own consultation on an under-16s ban and potential restrictions on social media features, such as infinite scrolling, which closes next month. Early education minister Olivia Bailey said the consultation allows for a wider range of services and features to be considered, and that it is crucial not to pre-empt its outcome.
Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott said she would keep fighting for a ban on social media to be included in the bill. The vote was part of the parliamentary process known as 'ping-pong', where the Commons and Lords negotiate the final wording of legislation.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet senior leaders from TikTok, X, YouTube, Snapchat, and Meta to demand faster progress on internet safety. He stated that parents rightly expect swift action and that he will take necessary steps to keep children safe online.
The Molly Rose Foundation, an internet safety charity, argued that the solution is not a ban but strengthening the Online Safety Act. Chief executive Andy Burrows called for decisive commitment to regulation to eliminate unsafe and addictive design.
Bereaved parents and campaigners delivered a letter to Downing Street urging restrictions on social media for under-16s, a ban on phones in schools, and prohibiting addictive features. Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, said the government consultation was delaying action, noting that social media is addictive and that young people are losing their lives.
