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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.
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Evening StandardReposted by 
perspectivemedia.com
perspectivemedia.comMPs vote to reject social media ban for under-16s
MPs voted 307 to 173 against the proposed change to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources20
Leaning Left5Leaning Right5Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution44% Center
Bias Distribution
- 44% of the sources are Center
44% Center
L 28%
C 44%
R 28%
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