UK Members of Parliament have voted against a proposal to ban under-16s from using social media, a move that had been supported by the House of Lords but ultimately fell short in the Commons. The amendment was part of the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, a significant piece of government legislation aimed at improving children's welfare. With a vote count of 307 against 173, the proposal's defeat highlights the ongoing debate within the UK about the risks and responsibilities associated with young people's access to social media platforms.

The push for a ban comes in response to increasing concerns over the safety and mental health of minors online, particularly after Australia became the first nation to impose such a ban in December 2025. This decision has sparked discussions in other countries, including several European nations considering similar restrictions. Supporters of the ban argue that immediate decisive action is necessary to protect young users from potential harm while critics label the government's approach as indecisive, citing the lengthy consultation process that may delay any concrete decisions.

The Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, faced accusations of