{"id":30726,"date":"2026-04-28T05:01:38","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T09:01:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/?p=30726"},"modified":"2026-04-28T05:01:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T09:01:38","slug":"british-government-to-impose-some-form-of-social-media-age-or-functionality-restrictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2026\/04\/28\/british-government-to-impose-some-form-of-social-media-age-or-functionality-restrictions\/","title":{"rendered":"British Government to impose some form of social media age or functionality restrictions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\" data-block=\"text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oyhass-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">The government will &#8220;impose some form of age or functionality restrictions&#8221; on social media for under-16s even if it stops short of an outright ban, Education Minister Olivia Bailey has said.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Ministers proposed further amendments on Monday evening as they sought to end the stand-off with peers over the Children&#8217;s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The House of Lords had voted in support of a social media ban for a fourth time on Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott described the government&#8217;s latest proposals in the Commons as a &#8220;huge step forward in keeping children safe&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\" data-block=\"text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oyhass-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">MPs supported the government&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Bailey did not give specific details about the action ministers would be taking but said the government was making a legal commitment that it &#8220;must&#8221; act once its consultation on whether the UK should introduce an Australia-style ban has concluded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">She told the Commons: &#8220;Let us be clear: the status quo cannot continue. We are consulting on the mechanism and that is the right thing to do.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;But we are clear that under any outcome we will impose some form of age or functionality restrictions for children under 16.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I can also confirm that consideration of restrictions such as curfews will be in addition not instead of this.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\" data-block=\"links\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oyhass-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<ul class=\"ssrcss-94r6ik-Stack e1y4nx260\" role=\"list\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-7zrqh4-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cvg3vjkx9d7o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">UK launches consultation asking for views on under-16s social media ban<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-7zrqh4-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/cn89g3ngkyzo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Social media bans and digital curfews to be trialled on UK teenagers<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-7zrqh4-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c5y7vd6gpq1o\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Phones to be banned in schools by law in England under government plans<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\" data-block=\"text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oyhass-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Bailey said the government is &#8220;focused on addictive features, harmful algorithmically-driven content and features&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The minister said a &#8220;progress report&#8221; must be made three months after the legislation receives royal assent, adding this reflects &#8220;our intention to quickly produce a response following the consultation&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">She added: &#8220;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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Bailey said the government would, in &#8220;exceptional circumstances&#8221;, have the option to extend the timeline by a further six months but they would have to explain to Parliament why this is needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\" data-block=\"text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oyhass-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">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 &#8220;the shape of that action&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Ellen Roome, from Cheltenham, who believes her son Jools Sweeney, 14, died after an online challenge went wrong, told BBC Breakfast she was &#8220;so pleased&#8221; the government had vowed to take action.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;There parents who are absolutely delighted, there was a lot of tears last night,&#8221; the campaigner said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We&#8217;ve just done as much as we can to say please make a difference for everybody elses&#8217; children as its too late for us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\" data-block=\"text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oyhass-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Shadow education secretary Trott said: &#8220;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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;And this is in addition to, not instead of, any curfews.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;This is a huge step forward in keeping children safe and supporting parents in their fight against screens destroying children&#8217;s lives.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused the government of &#8220;ducking&#8221; the issue last night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I think this is just an excuse for the government not to take action. They could have set a timetable in law to force their hand,&#8221; he told BBC Breakfast.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;They need to have moved faster.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He added: &#8220;If you look at the mental health impact on children, the devastation its caused for some families, I&#8217;m afraid kicking the can is not an answer, we need action and we need it in the next 12 months.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But Phillipson rejected that assertion and said the government was &#8220;committed to action&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It is not a question of whether we take action, we know we have to, we know we need to do more to keep people safe. Its a question of.. how we make sure it works.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\" data-block=\"text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-oyhass-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Conservative former schools minister Lord Nash, who led calls for a social media ban in the House of Lords, thanked the government for saying it would act.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He said: &#8220;We will now all turn our attention &#8211; together- to making sure this is implemented as soon as possible in the best way to protect our children.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Lord Nash also thanked bereaved parents for their support in the campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He said: &#8220;They didn&#8217;t have to do this. They did it so that no other family would have to live through what they have lived through, and they have ensured that as a result every child in the country will be safer because of their work. I thank them for it.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/articles\/c5y7d2zx63jo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\">The government will &#8220;impose some form of age or functionality restrictions&#8221; 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 <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/2026\/04\/28\/british-government-to-impose-some-form-of-social-media-age-or-functionality-restrictions\/\" title=\"British Government to impose some form of social media age or functionality restrictions\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30444,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15,109,2,4],"tags":[11409,11515,11359,819,12025,5736,1889,138,1312,11913,12024,6563],"class_list":{"0":"post-30726","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-human-rights","8":"category-headline","9":"category-news","10":"category-uk","11":"tag-age-checking","12":"tag-age-restrictions","13":"tag-age-verification","14":"tag-australia","15":"tag-childrens-wellbeing-and-schools-bill","16":"tag-house-of-commons","17":"tag-house-of-lords","18":"tag-human-rights","19":"tag-social-media","20":"tag-social-media-ban","21":"tag-uk-department-for-education","22":"tag-uk-parliament","23":"pmpro-has-access"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30726"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30726\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30727,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30726\/revisions\/30727"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30444"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/worldjusticenews.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}