UK Upper House Approves Social Media Ban for Under-16s, Raising Pressure on Government to Protect Children Online

Britain’s upper house of parliament has approved a ban on social media use for under-16s, increasing pressure on the government to act. The vote follows Australia’s move last December, where under-16s were prohibited from accessing social media platforms.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday that no options were off the table. However, his government plans to wait for a public consultation due this summer before legislating. Despite this, calls for immediate action have intensified, coming from both opposition parties and within Labour ranks.

The amendment, proposed by Conservative lawmaker John Nash and co-sponsored by Labour and Liberal Democrat peers, passed 261 votes to 150. Nash welcomed the decision, saying, “Tonight, peers put our children’s future first. This vote begins the process of stopping the catastrophic harm that social media is inflicting on a generation.”

Before the vote, Downing Street had signaled it would reject the amendment. Now the proposal moves to the Labour-controlled House of Commons. More than 60 Labour MPs have urged Starmer to support the ban. Public figures, including actor Hugh Grant, have also called for action, arguing that parents alone cannot fully shield children from social media risks.

Some child-protection groups warn that a ban might create a false sense of security. They argue that restricting access alone does not address issues such as online bullying or exposure to harmful content through other channels.

A December YouGov poll showed that 74 percent of Britons support a social media ban for under-16s. The Online Safety Act currently requires platforms to enforce secure age verification for harmful content. Critics say enforcement has been inconsistent, leaving many children still exposed.

The Lords’ vote marks a key step in ongoing discussions about child safety online. With public support and growing pressure from MPs, celebrities, and advocacy groups, the government faces mounting pressure to decide whether to follow Australia’s lead or develop its own measures to protect young users from online harm.