UK Rejects Under-16 Social Media Ban Proposal

British lawmakers on Monday rejected a proposal to impose a nationwide ban on social media use for children under 16, opting instead for broader government powers and a public consultation to address online safety for young people.

The measure, modeled after Australia's recent legislation, had been added as an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill and approved by the House of Lords in January. It sought to prohibit under-16s from creating social media accounts by default. In the House of Commons, the amendment failed by a vote of 307 to 173, with the government opposing it in favor of more targeted approaches. More than 100 Labour MPs, including 107 who abstained, did not support the ban, reflecting divisions within the ruling party amid rising concerns over social media's impact on youth mental health and exposure to harmful content.

Education Minister Olivia Bailey defended the government's stance during the debate, arguing that a blanket ban could push children toward unregulated online spaces or leave them ill-equipped to handle digital platforms as adults. "Many parents and campaign groups have called for an outright ban on social media for under-16s,"...