Test how your MP voted after a social media ban for beneath 16s was rejected
MPs vote to reject social media ban for under-16s
A ban on social media for under-16s has been rejected by MPs. The age restrict had been backed by friends earlier this 12 months after rising calls from campaigners together with actor Hugh Grant.
Supporters of the Australian-style ban stated mother and father are in “an unimaginable place” over the net harms their youngsters are being uncovered to. Others, together with the NSPCC, warned a ban might drive youngsters into unregulated corners of the web.
Learn extra: Mom of murdered teen urges MPs to again beneath 16 social media ban
Display seize of MPs within the Home of Commons, London (Picture: PA) The most recent politics information – straight from our staff in Westminster and extra Subscribe Invalid electronic mail
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you’ve got consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This will likely embody adverts from us and third events primarily based on our understanding. You possibly can unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
MPs voted 307 to 173, with a majority of 134, in opposition to the proposed change to the Kids’s Wellbeing and Faculties Invoice, which was introduced ahead by Conservative former minister Lord Nash.
Nevertheless, a ban might nonetheless are available in future after the Commons supported a Authorities bid to present further powers to the Secretary of State.
Underneath the modification in lieu, Science Secretary Liz Kendall might “limit or ban youngsters of sure ages from accessing social media providers and chat bots”.
She might additionally restrict youngsters’s VPN use, limit entry to addictive options, and alter the age of digital consent within the UK, schooling minister Olivia Bailey informed MPs.
Lord Nash described the Commons’ vote as “deeply disappointing” and pledged to do “all that we are able to” to revive the modification within the higher chamber.
As MPs thought-about the adjustments proposed by the higher chamber, Ms Bailey stated: “Many mother and father and marketing campaign teams have referred to as for an outright ban on social media for under-16s.
“Others, together with youngsters’s charities, have warned {that a} blanket ban might drive youngsters in direction of much less regulated corners of the web or go away youngsters unprepared once they do come on-line.
“That’s the reason, final week, the Authorities launched a session to hunt views to assist form our subsequent steps and guarantee youngsters can develop up with a safer, more healthy and extra enriching relationship with the net world.”
The session will take a look at whether or not social media platforms ought to include a minimal age requirement and whether or not platforms ought to change off addictive options resembling autoplay.
Leave a Reply