LONDON — Members of Parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom have rejected a proposed ban on social media for children under 16 years of age. According to a BBC report, MPs voted 307 to 173 against adding an age limit to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. The proposal was brought forward by Conservative peer and former minister John Nash.The development comes months after the House of Lords, in January 2026, supported the age limit and proposed extending an Australia-style ban to teenagers under 16. In December 2025, Australia became the first country in the world to implement a social media ban for children under 16, covering platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.
What Happens Next?
Although the ban was rejected, the matter is far from over. The House of Commons has agreed to give the government greater powers to act through the Secretary of State, meaning a ban could still be implemented at a later stage. The government has said it will explore flexible rules and age-based restrictions instead of an outright ban.
Supporters vs Critics
Supporters of the ban, including actor Hugh Grant, called for stronger protections for children online, arguing that parents are in an “impossible position” trying to protect their children from online harms.
However, organisations like the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) warned that such a ban could push teenagers toward unregulated parts of the internet, potentially creating new and greater risks.
