Minister promises 'some form' of social media restrictions for under-16s

'Some form' of social media restrictions for under-16s, minister promises 2 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleRichard Wheeler,Politics reporterandAndré Rhoden-PaulGetty ImagesThe government will "impose some form of age or functionality restrictions" on social media for under-16s even if it stops short of an outright ban, Education Minister Olivia Bailey has said.Ministers proposed further amendments on Monday evening as they sought to end the stand-off with peers over the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.The House of Lords had voted in support of a social media ban for a fourth time on Monday afternoon.Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott described the government's latest proposals in the Commons as a "huge step forward in keeping children safe".MPs supported the government's motion by 272 votes to 64, with the bill now returning to the Lords for what looks to be the final consideration before it receives royal assent and becomes law.Bailey did not give specific details about the action ministers would be taking but said the government was making a legal commitment that it "must" act once its consultation on whether the UK should introduce an Australia-style ban has concluded.She told the Commons: "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."UK launches consultation asking for views on under-16s social media banSocial media bans and digital curfews to be trialled on UK teenagersPhones to be banned in schools by law in England under government plansBailey said the government is "focused on addictive features, harmful algorithmically-driven content and features". The minister said a "progress report" must be made three months after the legislation receives royal assent, adding this reflects "our intention to quickly produce a response following the consultation".She added: "Following this we will have 12 months to lay regulations, but our firm intention is to move faster and the [Technology Secretary Liz Kendall] has been clear that we aim to do this before the end of the year."Bailey said the government would, in "exceptional circumstances", have the option to extend the timeline by a further six months but they would have to explain to Parliament why this is needed.Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the BBC there were a range of views on what measures to impose among campaigners and the consultation would determine "the shape of that action". Ellen Roome, from Cheltenham, who believes her son Jools Sweeney, 14, died after an online challenge went wrong, told BBC Breakfast she was "so pleased" the government had vowed to take action. "There parents who are absolutely delighted, there was a lot of tears last night," the campaigner said. "We've just done as much as we can to say please make a difference for everybody elses' children as its too late for us." Getty ImagesShadow education secretary Trott 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…

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