The British Government is under pressure to support an amendment to bring in a social media ban for under-16s. Photo / Getty Images
The British Government is under pressure to support an amendment to bring in a social media ban for under-16s. Photo / Getty Images
Britain’s upper house of Parliament voted today in favour of banning under‑16s from using social media, raising pressure on the Government to match a similar ban passed in Australia.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said earlier this week that he was not ruling out any options and pledged action to protectchildren, but his Government wants to wait for the results of a consultation due this summer before legislating.
Calls have risen across the opposition and within the governing Labour Party for the United Kingdom to follow Australia, where under‑16s have been barred from social media applications since December 10.
The amendment from opposition Conservative lawmaker Lord John Nash passed with 261 votes to 150 in the House of Lords, co‑sponsored by a Labour and a Liberal Democrat peer.
“Tonight, peers put our children’s future first,” Nash said. “This vote begins the process of stopping the catastrophic harm that social media is inflicting on a generation.”
Before the vote, Downing Street said the Government would not accept the amendment, which now goes to the Labour-controlled lower House of Commons. More than 60 Labour MPs have urged Starmer to back a ban.
Public figures including actor Hugh Grant urged the Government to back the proposal, saying parents alone cannot counter social media harms.
Some child-protection groups warn a ban would create a false sense of security.
