The Government is set to introduce “age or functionality restrictions” on social media platforms for under-16s, education minister Olivia Bailey has confirmed.
Ms Bailey said that these measures would be "imposed" irrespective of the outcome of an ongoing consultation into the potential harms of social media for children.
This commitment follows sustained pressure from the House of Lords.
Peers, spearheaded by Tory former education minister and academy chain founder Lord Nash, voted on four separate occasions to compel the Commons to accept a ban on such access.
While a consultation on technology access for under-16s was already underway, exploring ideas like age restrictions for social media, gaming sites, and AI chatbots, the government had previously refrained from making any definitive pledges.
The latest announcement marks a significant shift towards concrete action.
Ms Bailey told MPs: “On the remaining question on access to social media, we have listened carefully to the concerns raised across both Houses about the importance of the Government acting swiftly once the consultation has concluded.”
“The Government has said repeatedly that it is a question of how we act, not if, but to put beyond any doubt, we are placing a clear statutory requirement that the Secretary of State must rather than may, act following the consultation.
“This brings forward regulations without pre-empting the consultation’s outcomes, and does not ignore the tens of thousands of parents and children who have already engaged with us.
“Let us be clear, the status quo cannot continue.
“We are consulting on the mechanism, and that is the right thing to do. But we are clear that under any outcome, we will impose some form of age or functionality restrictions for children under 16.
“I can also confirm that consideration of restrictions such as curfews will be in addition, not instead of this.”
The move was welcomed by Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott who said: “We now have a commitment on the floor of the House, from the Government, that they will impose an age restriction for children under 16, and this is in addition to, not instead of, any curfews.
“This is a huge step forward in keeping children safe and supporting parents in their fight against screens destroying children’s lives.”
Ms Trott added: “Every month a delay just leaves children more exposed to the harms of social media online, so I urge the minister to keep to her words today and make sure that action is as swift as possible.”
A proposed ban has been supported by campaigners, including Esther Ghey, whose 16-year-old daughter Brianna was murdered by two teenagers in 2023.
A fortnight ago Sir Keir Starmer told tech bosses from X, Meta, Snap, TikTok and Google – which owns Youtube – that changes were urgently needed.
The prime minister had hinted at the possibility of measures to restrict children’s access to social media sites, amid mounting concerns over its impact on their health and safety.
Sir Keir said: “Things can’t go on like this, they must change because right now social media is putting our children at risk.
“In a world in which children are protected, even if that means access is restricted, that is preferable to a world where harm is the price of participation.”
Lord Nash described the Government’s concession as “a huge step forward for our children’s safety online”.
He added: “We will now all turn our attention – together – to making sure this is implemented as soon as possible in the best way to protect our children.
“Thank you to my colleagues in the Lords who voted four times to ensure that this happened. But above all, I want to thank the bereaved parents I have campaigned alongside.
“They didn’t have to do this. They did it so that no other family would have to live through what they have lived through, and they have ensured that as a result every child in the country will be safer because of their work. I thank them for it.”
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