News ReloadedWESTMINSTER – Members of Parliament have officially rejected a proposed ban on social media for children under the age of 16, following a heated debate in the House of Commons late on Monday evening.
In a vote of 307 to 173, MPs dismissed an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would have seen the UK follow in the footsteps of Australia’s landmark 2025 prohibition. The amendment, originally introduced by Conservative peer Lord Nash, had gained significant momentum in the House of Lords earlier this year with high-profile backing from campaigners including actor Hugh Grant.
The Government, while acknowledging the “impossible position” many parents face, argued that an outright ban could create more danger than it solves.
Education Minister Olivia Bailey told the House that a total block risks driving teenagers into “unregulated corners of the internet” where safety features and parental monitoring do not exist. This sentiment was echoed by child protection charities like the NSPCC, which warned that while the “status quo is not working,” blanket bans might fail to address the root causes of online harm.
While the immediate ban was defeated, the Government successfully passed a compromise motion. This grants Science Secretary Liz Kendall sweeping new powers to:
Restrict or ban specific age groups from certain platforms in the future via secondary legislation.
Target “addictive features” such as infinite scrolling and autoplay.
Limit VPN use and change the “digital age of consent” (the age at which companies can process a child’s data without parental permission).
Regulate AI chatbots and gaming platforms frequently used by minors.
The decision comes just one week after the launch of the Government’s Growing up in the Online World consultation. The three-month inquiry, which opened on 2 March 2026 and closes on 26 May, is seeking direct evidence from parents, teachers, and children themselves.
Proponents of the ban, including Lord Nash, described the Commons’ rejection as “deeply disappointing” and have pledged to continue the fight when the Bill returns to the upper chamber.
Do you think Social Media should be banned for Under 16s? Let us know in the comments.
