British lawmakers have rejected a proposal to introduce a nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 16.
The proposal, modelled on legislation adopted in Australia, had been included in a broader bill that passed the United Kingdom’s upper chamber, the House of Lords, earlier this year.
However, the measure failed to secure sufficient support in the House of Commons late Monday after the government opposed the plan.
More than 100 lawmakers from the governing Labour Party abstained from the vote. According to a YouGov poll conducted in December, 74% of Britons support restricting access to social media for those under 16.
Education minister Olivia Bailey argued that a blanket prohibition could have unintended consequences. She warned that banning social media outright might push teenagers toward “less regulated corners of the internet,” while also leaving them unprepared to navigate digital platforms later in life.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not ruled out future restrictions. The government is expected to launch a consultation this summer to examine possible alternatives, including stricter age verification rules and limits on features such as endless scrolling that are often described as addictive.
Public debate around the issue has intensified in recent months. Several prominent figures, including actor Hugh Grant, have urged the government to take stronger action, arguing that parents alone cannot effectively shield children from harmful online content.
