Politics · 10 March 2026
UK Rejects Blanket Social Media Ban for Under-16s, Considers Alternative Controls
Unsplash / ANNIE HATUANH
Members of Parliament have voted against a proposal to completely ban social media access for users under 16. The amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill was defeated with 307 votes opposing it and 173 supporting it. Instead of a full ban, lawmakers backed giving the Secretary of State broader regulatory authority. These powers could allow ministers to limit certain platform features, restrict access for specific age groups, and address tools such as VPNs used to bypass safety controls.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs