UK Social Media Ban for Under-18s: What You Need to Know | EFF

UK Parliament Divided Over Social Media Age Restrictions

The House of Commons on Wednesday defeated a proposal to ban under-16s from social media platforms, replacing it with a plan that grants significant powers to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology to restrict young people’s access to online services. The vote, 307 to 173, followed amendments previously tabled by the House of Lords within the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The original Lords amendment sought to “prevent children under the age of 16 from becoming or being users” of “all regulated user-to-user services,” requiring “highly-effective age assurance measures.” MPs rejected this outright, instead proposing an amendment that empowers the Secretary of State – currently Liz Kendall – to determine which internet services or features are accessible to those under 18, and to restrict VPN employ. The Commons amendment also allows the Secretary of State to alter the age of digital consent for online activities.

The shift in power from Parliament and the independent regulator Ofcom to the Secretary of State has drawn criticism from privacy advocates, who argue it lacks accountability and opens the door to politically motivated censorship. Unlike the previous framework, the amended bill does not require ministers to demonstrate specific harms to young people before restricting access.

Critics point to recent government actions as evidence of potential overreach. Concerns have been raised about the government’s approach to protecting trans and LGBTQ+ communities, and its handling of debates surrounding immigration and online discourse. These examples fuel fears that the Secretary of State could use the new powers to restrict content based on ideological or moral objections, rather than evidence-based assessments of harm.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has warned that legislation intended to protect young people often expands to encompass broader categories of content. In the United States, some states have broadened the definition of “sexual material harmful to minors” to include sex education, while others have used vaguely defined harms as justification for restrictions. This raises the possibility that the UK’s amended bill could be used to target LGBTQ+ content by placing it behind an age gate.

Advocates emphasize the importance of the internet as a resource for young people to access information, build communities, and explore their identities. They argue that banning social media could isolate young people and limit their access to vital support networks, particularly for those who may not feel safe accessing such information offline, such as resources related to family abuse or sexuality.

The vote revealed divisions within the Labour Party, with 107 MPs abstaining on the House of Lords amendment. The Conservative Party initially pushed for the ban on under-16s, but has since accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of “dither and delay” for not fully committing to the measure. The Liberal Democrats have also criticized the current approach as insufficient.

The amended bill also impacts the Online Safety Act, which previously provided a framework for regulating online services. The Commons amendment effectively overrides aspects of the Online Safety Act, granting the Secretary of State broader powers to intervene. Civil society groups, technologists, and tech companies have spent over six years advocating for responsible internet regulation through Ofcom, and the new amendment represents a significant departure from that process.

Several countries are considering or have already implemented similar restrictions. Australia enforced a ban on social media for under-16s in December 2023. Indonesia announced a ban on social media and other “high-risk” platforms for users under 16 in March 2026, while Brazil recently implemented measures restricting access for under-16s. Spain and the Philippines are also considering similar legislation.

The Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill will return to the House of Lords on March 25 for consideration of the Commons amendments. The bill will require agreement from both Houses to become law.