UK Politics

MPs have rejected a Lords amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would allow a social media ban for under 16s. Instead, they have voted to give ministers much broader powers which could be used to restrict Internet access to under 18s.

This will give ministers huge powers to restrict the Internet without having to pass new legislation. The powers could be used to restrict access to websites, social media platforms, apps and games of their choosing. Ministers will not have to demonstrate harm to children, effectively ripping up work carried out by Ofcom to assess services according to the risks and harms they pose.

This mean that the current or future governments could restrict content they are ideologically opposed to. For example, a Reform government could force ID checks to access LGBQT content as part of their manifesto commitment “to end trans ideology” in schools.

Ministers would also have the powers to impose digital curfews and to limit the time spent on certain platforms – for example preventing under 18s from playing games such as Minecraft, Fifa and Fortnite after a certain time.

MPs also rejected a Lords amendment to restrict access to VPNs, but gave Ministers the power to introduce such a measure.