MPs reject Australian-style social media ban for under-16s

MPs have rejected an Australian-style blanket ban on social media for under-16s. 

Instead, they have backed flexible ministerial powers that could restrict or ban children of certain ages from accessing social media services or chat bots.  

The UK Government is currently consulting on whether social media platforms should have a minimum age requirement and if platforms should restrict addictive features. 

In January, the House of Lords backed plans similar to the ban on social media sites like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat for children by the Australian Government.

The proposed plans, which were added to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill,are supported by actor Hugh Grant and Esther Ghey, the mother of Brianna Ghey, who was murdered by two teenagers in Warrington, Cheshire, in 2023. 

However, the children's charity NSPCC has warned that such a move could lead young people to dark corners of the internet.  

MPs voted 307 to 173 to overturn theLords’ proposal for an outright ban, and supported education minister Olivia Bailey's plan, which would give science secretary Liz Kendall powers to “restrict or ban children of certain ages from accessing social media services and chat bots”. 

Kendall will be able to limit access to “specific features that are harmful or addictive” on platforms, and will have the option to “restrict or limit children's Virtual Private Network (VPN) use and change the age of digital consent in the UK”.  

The Conservatives argued there is an “emergency” relating to children’s access to social media platforms in the current form, while the Liberal Democrats said the failure to commit to the ban was “simply not good enough”.  

Bailey acknowledged that many parents and campaign groups “have called for an outright ban on social media for under-16s”. 

She added: “Others, including children's charities, have warned that a blanket ban could drive children towards less regulated corners of the internet or leave teenagers unprepared when they do come online. 

“That is why last week, the government launched a consultation to seek views to help shape our next steps and ensure children can grow up with a safer, healthier and more enriching relationship with the online world.” 

Lord Nash, the former Conservative education minister, who tabled the amendment in the Lords, said the Commons vote was “deeply disappointing”, and that MPs had “chosen to gamble on a process which may lead to half measures”.  

He said he will work with his colleagues to revive the amendment.