MPs have voted against a proposal to ban under-16s from using social media for the second time, rejecting a Lords amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill by 256 to 150. The amendment, tabled by Conservative peer Lord Nash, would have imposed a default ban and given ministers 12 months to decide which platforms should be barred.
The government is instead pursuing its own consultation into an under-16s ban and potential restrictions on social media platforms, which closes next month. Early education minister Olivia Bailey said the consultation allows consideration of a wider range of services and features without pre-empting the outcome.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet senior leaders from TikTok, X, YouTube, Snapchat, and Meta to demand swifter progress on internet safety. Starmer stated: 'Parents rightly expect action and fast. I will take whatever steps necessary to keep children safe online.'
The Molly Rose Foundation, an internet safety charity, argued against a ban, urging instead a commitment to strengthening the Online Safety Act. Chief executive Andy Burrows said: 'It’s time to look beyond this false sense of safety and for the prime minister to decisively commit to strengthening regulation.'
Bereaved parents and campaigners delivered a letter to Downing Street before the vote, calling for restrictions on under-16s' social media access, a ban on phones in schools, and prohibition of addictive features like infinite scrolling. Esther Ghey, mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey, criticised the consultation as 'delaying' action, stating: 'We know that social media is addictive... young people are losing their lives.'
