Members of the UK Parliament have voted against introducing an Australia-style ban on social media for children under the age of 16, opting instead to support flexible powers for ministers to regulate online access.
The proposed ban, which targeted platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, was inspired by legislation introduced in Australia last year, making it the first nation to impose such restrictions. Similar proposals had earlier gained support in the House of Lords in January.
Supporters of the ban included actor Hugh Grant. However, critics such as the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children warned that an outright prohibition could push young people towards less regulated and potentially more dangerous parts of the internet.
The Conservative Party argued that the situation constituted an “emergency” and urged the government to introduce immediate legislation to protect children.
Proposals for the ban were introduced as amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. However, during debate in the House of Commons, Education Minister Olivia Bailey urged MPs to reject the amendment in favour of a more flexible regulatory approach.
“Many parents and campaign groups have called for an outright ban on social media for under-16s,” she said.
“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.”
Under the alternative proposal, Liz Kendall would be granted powers to restrict or ban access to social media platforms and chatbots for certain age groups. The plan would also allow the government to limit harmful features such as autoplay, regulate children’s use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and potentially adjust the UK’s digital consent age.
Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott pressed the government to introduce a clear age limit for social media access and a ban on mobile phones in schools.
She said: “40% of children are shown explicit content during the school day. That’s happening right now. This is an emergency. No more guidance, no more consultations. Legislate, do something about it.”
MPs ultimately voted 307 to 173 against the proposed ban, supporting Bailey’s alternative plan, which still leaves open the possibility of future restrictions.
More than 100 MPs from the Labour Party abstained from the vote, including Sadik Al-Hassan, who compared social media to a harmful drug during the debate.
“If social media was a drug, it would be banned,” he said, adding that parents were “locked in a daily battle” with platforms designed to keep children hooked.
Meanwhile, Lord Nash, who introduced the amendment in the House of Lords, described the outcome as “deeply disappointing” and vowed to work with fellow peers to revive the proposal.
Munira Wilson, education spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, criticised the government’s decision, saying: “The government’s failure to commit to a ban on harmful social media is simply not good enough – families need concrete assurances now.”
“We need the government to confirm that their consultation will not result in yet more dither and delay.”