Minister promises 'some form' of social media restrictions for under-16s
The UK government is committed to introducing social media restrictions for under-16s, though it has not confirmed whether this will be an outright ban. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and junior minister Olivia Bailey emphasized the need to address addictive features and harmful content online. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which grants powers for future restrictions, has passed the Commons and returns to the Lords for final consideration.
- ▪The government is consulting on social media restrictions for under-16s, with results expected after 26 May 2026.
- ▪Junior education minister Olivia Bailey confirmed the government will impose some form of age or functionality restrictions, possibly including curfews.
- ▪The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill passed the Commons 272 to 64, allowing ministers to implement future social media bans.
- ▪Social media platforms are already required under the Online Safety Act to mitigate risks to children and enforce age verification.
- ▪A progress report on the consultation must be delivered three months after the bill receives royal assent, with regulations to follow within 12 months.
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Social media restrictions for under-16s even if no ban, minister says28 April 2026ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleRichard Wheeler,Politics reporterandAndré Rhoden-PaulGetty ImagesThe government is committed to implementing social media restrictions for under-16s but ministers must "make sure it works" before introducing changes, the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has told the BBC.The government is consulting on an outright ban, as well as other measures designed to stop teenagers accessing addictive and harmful material.Phillipson's comments came after junior education minister Olivia Bailey said the government would "impose some form of age or functionality restrictions" even if it stopped short of a ban.Campaigners have called for an Australia-style ban on children using…
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