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MPs vote down social media ban for under-16s
Commons rejected a Lords-backed ban on social media for under-16s but approved giving the Science Secretary powers to impose restrictions and launch a consultation.
- On Monday, MPs in the House of Commons voted 307 to 173 against a Lords-backed amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill proposing an Australia-style ban for under-16s.
- Supporters argued that parents are in an 'impossible position' over online harms, pressing for an age limit after peers backed it earlier this year, campaigners including actor Hugh Grant said.
- The Science Secretary Liz Kendall could 'restrict or ban children of certain ages from accessing social media services and chat bots,' and limit VPN use, addictive features, and change the digital consent age, Education Minister Olivia Bailey told MPs on Monday.
- Public response was vocal, with a national petition of more than 62,500 signatures opposing a ban, over 2,600 from Greater Manchester including 150 from Manchester Central, while 107 Labour MPs abstained and some, like John McDonnell, rebelled.
- The Government launched a consultation last week to examine minimum age requirements and autoplay as the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill returns to the House of Lords, Bailey said, 'Many parents and campaign groups have called for an outright ban on social media for under-16s.
39 Articles
39 Articles
With 307 votes against and 173 in favor
The debate over whether children and young people should have access to social media has once again stirred up British politics. The House of Commons on Monday rejected a proposal to ban the use of social media by people under the age of 16, British media reported.
Members of the House of Commons largely rejected this bill on Monday night, which was opposed by the Labour government, which prefers to wait for the conclusions of a consultation before legislation is enacted.
The majority of MPs voted against this initiative. At the same time, the government was given expanded powers in this matter.
The members of the House of Commons rejected the proposal by 307 votes to 173
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