British MPs have rejected a proposed ban on social media use for children under the age of 16 — a measure inspired by Australia’s recent legislation but opposed by the Labour government, which prefers to await the outcome of an ongoing public consultation before introducing new laws.
Legislative Back-and-Forth
In January, the House of Lords voted in favour of a Conservative peer’s amendment calling for a UK-wide social media ban for under-16s. The proposal drew support from several public figures, including actor Hugh Grant.
However, on Monday, 9 March 2026, Members of the House of Commons overwhelmingly rejected the amendment — 307 votes against, compared to 173 in favour.
Government Position
Education Secretary Olivia Bailey urged MPs to vote against the ban, highlighting that the government had launched a formal consultation the previous week. ‘This will help us determine the next steps and ensure children can grow up with a safer, healthier, and more beneficial relationship with the online world,’ she said.
Bailey stressed that the proposed ban lacked consensus among leading child protection organisations. Some warned that a blanket prohibition could push young users toward less-regulated corners of the internet — or leave teenagers unprepared when they finally gain access to platforms at age 16.
What Comes Next?
While the immediate ban has been shelved, the government’s consultation remains open — and could still lead to legislation. It is expected to focus on two main options: raising the minimum age for social media access, and disabling addictive platform features such as infinite scroll or autoplay.
According to a YouGov poll conducted in early December, 74% of Britons support banning social media for those under 16 — compared to just 19% who oppose it.
Currently, most major platforms set a minimum age of 13 for account registration — though this rule is easily bypassed.
Australian Precedent
In Australia, a law prohibiting children under 16 from using platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram entered into force on 10 December. Platforms must enforce the restriction, or face financial penalties.