Under-16 social media ban struck down for second time

UK won't be following Australia - yet

British MPs have voted to reject a proposed ban on social media for under-16s for a second time, but a government consultation on limiting online harms continues.

Parliamentarians voted by 256 to 150 to reject a proposed change to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill by Conservative peer Lord Nash, which would have enacted a blanket default ban.

MPs first voted to reject a ban in January, but the Lords overwhelmingly supported Lord Nash’s now-defeated amendment. The bill has been batted back and forth ever since.

Instead of the amendment, MPs support the government’s own consultation into an under-16s ban and potential limits on social media platforms, like restriction on features such as infinite scrolling. The process closes next month.

Early education minister Olivia Bailey said that rather than the “narrow” amendment proposed in the Lords, the government’s consultation “allows us to address a much wider range of services and features.

"It also allows us to consider the different views about the way to move forward and that’s why it’s crucial that we do not pre-empt the government’s consultation."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to meet social media bosses today to push for faster progress on online safety. Ahead of the meeting, he said, "Parents rightly expect action and fast. That’s why we’ve already taken the powers needed to move quickly once our consultation ends.

“I will take whatever steps necessary to keep children safe online. Today is about making sure social media companies step up and take responsibility.”