PREVIEW

Lords Back UK Social Media Ban For Under-16s. The House of Lords voted to support a ban on under-16s using social media platforms in the UK backing an amendment to the government’s schools bill by 261 votes to 150. The government says it will seek to overturn the change in the Commons, while continuing its own consultation on a possible ban. However, the issue is politically sensitive, with a growing number of Labour MPs already signalling support for tougher action. Momentum has been building at Westminster following Australia’s recent decision to block under-16s from major platforms prompting cross-party backing from Conservative, Liberal Democrat and crossbench peers. Under the amendment, ministers would have a year to decide which platforms should be restricted, with companies required to introduce highly effective age checks. Former Conservative schools minister Lord Nash called teenage social media use a “societal catastrophe” and argued a ban would protect mental health, reduce online harm and give young people time to mature before going online.
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