Parliamentarians rejected a proposal to ban social networks for children under 16 years of age.
MPs voted 307 to 173, a majority of 134, against the proposed change to the Schools and Children’s Welfare Bill, which was introduced by Conservative peer and former minister John Nash.
The age limit had been backed by peers earlier this year after growing calls from campaigners including actor Hugh Grant.
However, a ban could still materialize in the future after the Commons backed a government attempt to give additional powers to the secretary of state.
Supporters of the ban said parents are put in “an impossible position” regarding the online harms their children are exposed to, but others, including the NSPCC, warned such legislation could drive teenagers into unregulated corners of the internet.
In January, Australia introduced the world’s first social media ban for under-16s.
Instead, under the amendment, Science Secretary Liz Kendall could “restrict or prohibit children of certain ages from accessing social media services and chatbots.”
It could also limit children’s use of VPNs, restrict access to addictive features and change the age of digital consent in the UK, Education Minister Olivia Bailey told MPs.
Lord Nash described the Commons vote as “deeply disappointing” and vowed to do “everything we can” to revive the amendment in the upper house.
Bailey said: “Many parents and campaign groups have called for a complete ban on social media for under-16s.
“Others, including children’s charities, have warned that a blanket ban could drive children to less regulated corners of the internet or leave teenagers unprepared when they go online.”
He added: “That is why, last week, the government launched a consultation to seek views to help shape our next steps and ensure children can grow up with a safer, healthier and more enriching relationship with the online world.”
The consultation will look at whether social media platforms should include a minimum age requirement and whether platforms should disable addictive features such as autoplay.
John McDonnell, Labor MP for Hayes and Harlington, rebelled against the government on Monday and voted in favor of the Lords amendment, while 107 Labor MPs abstained.
Munira Wilson, education, children and families spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, said: “The government’s failure to commit to banning harmful social media is simply not enough – families need concrete guarantees now.
“We need the government to confirm that its consultation will not lead to further hesitations and delays.”
The Schools and Child Welfare Bill will now return to the House of Lords for further consideration by its peers and will only become law if both houses agree on the final draft.
If passed, the legislation will also require councils to “assess a child’s home environment within 15 days” of being placed on a register of out-of-school children.
This forms part of the government’s response to the death of 10-year-old Sara Sharif, murdered by her father, Urfan Sharif, and stepmother, Beinash Batool, in Woking, Surrey, in 2023.
