Social media platforms to face ‘some form of age limit or restriction’

Amid a consultation into measures including a full ban on under-16s using social media, Ms Bailey confirmed that the Government “will impose some form of age or functionality restrictions” on the platforms.

These restrictions will come regardless of the outcome of the consultation.

The move is another major U-turn from Labour, which had previously resisted calls to impose an Australia-style ban until the consultation was complete.

Read More: House of Lords vote in favour of teen social media ban for fourth time

Read More: Keir Starmer is failing children with empty promises on social media reform, writes Laura Trott

The House of Commons has thrice rejected an amendment brought by Lord Nash to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which would mandate the imposition of such a ban.

Lords sent the amendment to the Commons for a fourth time on Monday as a standoff between the two houses continues.

Ms Bailey told MPs: “On the remaining question on access to social media, we have listened carefully to the concerns raised across both Houses about the importance of the Government acting swiftly once the consultation has concluded.”

“The Government has said repeatedly that it is a question of how we act, not if, but to put beyond any doubt, we are playing a clear statutory requirement that the Secretary of State must, rather than may, act following the consultation.

“This brings forward regulations without pre-empting the consultation’s outcomes, and does not ignore the tens of thousands of parents and children who have already engaged with us.

“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.”

Lord Nash: "This commitment to raising the age limit to 16 for harmful social media features is a huge step forward for our children's safety online.

"Parents, teachers, health professionals, senior police officers and many others told the Government to listen.

"They told the Government repeatedly, and in great numbers, that it had to act on social media's unrestricted access to our young people, to prevent the catastrophic harms that it is inflicting on a generation.

"That delay wasn't good enough, and they had to deal with this now. And tonight the Government has said they will act and I would like to thank the Government for this. We will now all turn our attention - together- to making sure this is implemented as soon as possible in the best way to protect our children.

"Thank you to my colleagues in the Lords who voted four times to ensure that this happened. But above all, I want to thank the bereaved parents I have campaigned alongside.

"They didn'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."

Tory Shadow Education Secretary, Laura Trott, said that the change in position was down to the pressure she and campaigners had put on the Government to implement a ban.

She wrote on X: "Just 18 months ago, Labour said a social media ban was not something they were considering. They have now finally committed to social media restrictions for under-16s.

"This is a huge victory and a pivotal moment for children across our country after months of delay and empty promises.

"This is down to the courage of bereaved parents who fought not for their own children but for other people's children. They are the reason I kept fighting and the reason I would not accept a timetable that allowed the Government to avoid action in this Parliament.

"We now have a more credible delivery timeline, and that matters because every month of delay leaves more children exposed to harm.

"This victory also belongs to the hard work of Lord Nash, teachers, health professionals, parents and children who spoke out and refused to be ignored. Conservatives in opposition said we would fight to protect childhood and stand with parents, and we have shown we will hold the Government to account and deliver change."