UK Parliament rejects proposal to ban social media use for under-16s
1932 Mins Read
Lawmakers in the United Kingdom have rejected a proposal to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms, following a vote in the House of Commons on Monday.
The measure, which had been introduced by the Conservative opposition as an amendment to the government’s Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, was defeated by 307 votes to 173. The proposal had previously gained support in the House of Lords but failed to secure backing in the lower chamber of Parliament.
The amendment formed part of growing international debate over the impact of social media on children and adolescents. Pressure for stronger restrictions has increased since Australia became the first country to implement a nationwide ban on under-16s using social media in December, prompting policymakers in several European countries to consider similar measures.
During the parliamentary debate, Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott described children’s exposure to harmful online content as an “emergency”. She cited polling suggesting that around 40% of children encounter explicit material on smartphones during the school day.
“No more guidance, no more consultations. Legislate, do something about it,” Trott told MPs.
Despite rejecting the amendment, the government signalled that further action remains possible. Education minister Olivia Bailey said the government would launch a consultation on potential restrictions on youth access to platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
Bailey argued that an outright ban could carry unintended consequences, warning that children might migrate to “less regulated corners of the internet” or reach adulthood without the skills needed to navigate online spaces safely.
The vote exposed divisions within the governing Labour Party, with 107 Labour MPs abstaining. Among them was MP Sadik Al-Hassan, who told Parliament that many parents are “locked in a daily battle” against digital platforms designed to keep young users engaged.
Following the vote, the Liberal Democrats criticised Prime Minister Keir Starmer for failing to commit to immediate legislation, accusing the government of “dither and delay”.
The government’s consultation is expected to examine a range of policy options, leaving open the possibility of future restrictions on social media use by minors.
