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UK MPs Reject Under-16 Social Media Ban but Approve Flexible Government Powers
Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom have rejected a proposal to impose an Australia-style ban on social media for children under 16, instead backing plans that would give ministers broader and more flexible powers to regulate young people’s access online.
The proposed ban targeted platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. Australia introduced a similar nationwide ban for under-16s late last year, becoming the first country to adopt such a restriction. In January, peers in the House of Lords also expressed support for similar action in the UK.
Supporters of a ban included actor Hugh Grant. However, critics such as the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) warned that an outright prohibition could push young people toward less regulated and potentially more dangerous parts of the internet.
The Conservative Party (UK) argued that the situation amounted to an “emergency” and called for legislation to protect children online. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats (UK) said the government’s refusal to commit to a ban was “simply not good enough”.
Opposition also came from the father of Molly Russell, the teenager who died at the age of 14 after viewing harmful online content. He argued that authorities should prioritise stricter enforcement of existing online safety laws rather than introducing a blanket ban.
The proposal for a social media ban had been introduced as an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
However, during a debate in the House of Commons on Monday, Education Minister Olivia Bailey urged MPs to reject the measure and support a more adaptable regulatory approach.
“Many parents and campaign groups have called for an outright ban on social media for under-16s,” Bailey said.
“Others, including children’s charities, have warned that a blanket ban could drive children towards less regulated corners of the internet or leave teenagers unprepared when they do come online.”
She noted that the government has launched a consultation to gather public views on how best to ensure children develop a “safer, healthier and more enriching relationship with the online world.”
The consultation will explore options such as introducing a minimum age requirement for social media platforms and disabling potentially addictive features like autoplay.
Under the government’s alternative plan, Liz Kendall, the UK’s Science Secretary, would be granted powers to restrict or ban access to social media and chatbots for children of certain ages. The powers could also be used to limit harmful or addictive features on platforms.
In addition, Kendall could be authorised to restrict children’s use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and review the country’s digital consent age.
Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott from the Conservative Party pressed the government to impose stricter measures, including a clear age limit for social media use and a ban on mobile phones in schools.
She said research suggests “40% of children are shown explicit content during the school day”, adding: “That’s happening right now. This is an emergency. No more guidance, no more consultations. Legislate, do something about it.”
In the final vote, MPs rejected the House of Lords proposal for a blanket ban by 307 votes to 173, while backing Bailey’s plan, which leaves open the possibility of targeted restrictions in the future.
More than 100 MPs from the governing Labour Party (UK) abstained during the vote, including Sadik Al-Hassan, MP for North Somerset.
Speaking during the debate, Al-Hassan compared the potential harms of social media to dangerous medicines.
“Parents like me are locked in a daily battle that they simply cannot win alone, fighting platforms that have been specifically designed to keep children hooked,” he said.
“As a pharmacist, I know if a drug were causing such measurable harm for 78%, it would be withdrawn, reformulated or placed behind a counter with strict controls on who could access it.”
One passenger has been killed after an intercity train collided with a concrete mixer truck at a level crossing in Poland.
The train derailed following the crash at Sokolniki Suche, around 100km (60 miles) south of Warsaw, at about 11:20 local time (09:20 GMT).
Around 120 people were on board the train when the collision occurred. National long-distance rail operator PKP Intercity said 20 people were injured, including four who suffered serious injuries.
Reports from the scene said the level crossing was equipped with traffic lights and barriers, while the concrete mixer struck a carriage behind the train’s engine.
The exact sequence of events remains unclear and an investigation is expected to establish how the collision happened.
The incident is the second serious crash at a Polish level crossing in just a few days.
Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the latest accident as “very serious” and called for tougher regulations governing level crossings.
He said there was a need for the rules to be “radically toughened” to deal with drivers who repeatedly ignore barriers and red warning lights at railway crossings.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
The United States is set to ban imports of a range of Canadian products, including alcoholic spirits, some dairy goods and motorbikes, following the introduction of retaliatory Canadian tariffs on American goods.
In a series of executive orders issued on Tuesday, President Donald Trump accused Canada of “discriminating” against the US and announced that the new import restrictions would take effect on 29 September.
The measures are the latest development in a months-long trade dispute between the two neighbours, who have historically been close allies and major trading partners.
Officials from both countries have said they want to reach a new trade agreement, but no further negotiations have been scheduled since talks broke down in late August.
Canada’s Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc described the latest US measures as “unjustified” and said he would work to protect Canadian workers, families and businesses.
“Our core focus is on what we can control: building strength at home, diversifying our partnerships abroad, and building Canada strong for all Canadians,” LeBlanc said.
He added that he had spoken with his US counterpart and remained committed to working “in good faith” to resolve the trade tensions.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said earlier on Tuesday that reducing the country’s reliance on the US as its largest trading partner “will come at a cost”.
The US is by far Canada’s most important export market, with more than two-thirds of Canadian exports generally going south of the border.
According to UN data compiled by Trading Economics, Canadian exports to the US in 2025 included $687m (£507m) worth of alcoholic spirits, $269m of dairy products and $90m of motorbikes.
King Charles has made clear that Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, will remain non-working royals despite their return to the UK.
A letter sent on behalf of the King states that the couple will not be permitted to carry out official royal engagements or represent the Royal Family.
Harry and Meghan, who moved back to the UK with their children, Archie and Lilibet, will continue to be treated as private citizens. They will also not use the HRH titles of His and Her Royal Highness.
The letter, issued by the Lord Chamberlain, one of the most senior officials in the Royal Household, has reportedly been sent to Harry’s team, government departments, military officials and Lord Lieutenants.
It makes clear that any public engagements undertaken by the Sussexes will be carried out in a private capacity and should not be treated as official royal visits.
The intervention comes ahead of expected public appearances by Harry and Meghan in the UK this autumn as they settle back into the country and continue supporting their charitable causes.
The King’s message also reinforces the arrangements agreed in 2020, when the Sussexes stepped back from royal duties under the so-called Sandringham Agreement.
The agreement ruled out a “half-in, half-out” arrangement that would have allowed Harry and Meghan to retain working royal status while pursuing independent commercial interests.
The letter states that the couple “stepped down from undertaking representative duties on behalf of the Sovereign” in January 2020 and “are no longer working members of the Royal Family”.
It adds that their charitable activities are “a personal matter for them both” and are undertaken in their private capacity.
The King’s message also says organisations seeking guidance on how Harry and Meghan should be received, particularly where public funds could be involved, should contact Buckingham Palace.
The issue of security remains separate. The letter states that operational security matters should continue to be handled by the relevant police authorities.
Harry has previously complained about the level of police protection available to him and his family in the UK. Decisions over security for royals and other prominent figures are handled by the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, known as Ravec.
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