UK government move to delay social media ban faces pushback in Lords

Ministers’ amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill faces a rival amendment for a social media ban within 12 months. Photograph: Deborah Lee Rossiter/Alamy

Peers will vote on Monday on a government move that could delay action on children’s access to social media for up to three years, which has triggered a backlash from campaigners and senior figures in the Lords.

Ministers tabled an amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill that would allow them to wait before introducing new restrictions, Critics warn it risks watering down earlier commitments to act within months and could result in only limited interventions such as parental controls rather than sweeping measures on access.