According to major media reports, a ban on social media for under-16s has been rejected by MPs. The vote saw MPs vote 307 to 173 against the proposed change to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, resulting in a majority of 134 against the proposed change. The age limit had been backed by peers earlier this year after growing calls from campaigners including actor Hugh Grant.
The proposed change to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill was brought forward by Conservative former minister Lord Nash. Supporters of the Australian-style ban said parents are in 'an impossible position' over the online harms their children are being exposed to, though the specific online harms prompting calls for the ban have not been detailed. Others, including the NSPCC, warned a ban could drive teenagers into unregulated corners of the internet, but what those unregulated corners entail remains unclear.
As MPs considered the changes proposed by the upper chamber, education minister Olivia Bailey told MPs: 'Many parents and campaign groups have called for an outright ban on social media for under-16s. ' Despite the rejection, a ban could still come in future after the Commons supported a Government bid to give additional powers to the Secretary of State. Under the amendment in lieu, Science Secretary Liz Kendall could 'restrict or ban children of certain ages from accessing social media services and chat bots'.
She could also limit children’s VPN use, restrict access to addictive features, and change the age of digital consent in the UK, education minister Olivia Bailey told MPs. The timeline or criteria for the Secretary of State to potentially implement a future ban using the new powers have not been specified. Lord Nash described the Commons’ vote as 'deeply disappointing' and pledged to do 'all that we can' to revive the amendment in the upper chamber.
Education Committee chairwoman Helen Hayes said she supports 'robust measures to protect children from social media harms, including raising the age of digital consent and a ban on some social media apps for under-16s and I support a statutory ban on schools'. The Government launched a consultation last week to seek views to help shape next steps and ensure children can grow up with a safer, healthier and more enriching relationship with the online world. The consultation will look at whether social media platforms should come with a minimum age requirement and whether platforms should switch off addictive features such as autoplay.
What specific views or data are being sought in the Government consultation, and when it will conclude, has not been announced. The details of the Australian-style ban that was referenced as a model have also not been provided.