Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom have voted against an Australia-style ban on social media for children under 16, instead backing a system of flexible ministerial powers to regulate access and features.
The proposed ban, which mirrors measures introduced in Australia at the end of 2025, aimed to restrict children from using platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. While the ban received support from figures like actor Hugh Grant, critics—including the children’s charity National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children—warned that a blanket ban could push young users toward less regulated corners of the internet.
The vote was part of discussions around suggested changes to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. MPs voted 307 to 173 against the House of Lords proposal for an outright ban. More than 100 Labour MPs abstained, citing concerns about enforcement and effective solutions.
Education Minister Olivia Bailey urged MPs to support her alternative approach, which grants Science Secretary Liz Kendall powers to restrict or ban children of certain ages from accessing social media services and chatbots. The powers would also allow limits on harmful or addictive features, control over VPN usage, and adjustments to the digital age of consent.
Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott stressed the urgency, citing polling that 40% of children encounter explicit content during school hours. “This is an emergency. No more guidance, no more consultations. Legislate, do something about it,” she said.
Critics of the Commons vote included North Somerset MP Sadik Al-Hassan, who compared social media to a harmful drug, and Lord Nash, the former education minister, who described the decision as “deeply disappointing” and warned it may lead to “half measures.”
Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson also condemned the government for failing to commit to a concrete ban, urging swift action to protect children online.
The government has launched a consultation to gather views on age requirements, restrictions on addictive features such as autoplay, and potential measures to ensure children can develop safer, healthier relationships with the online world.
