The House of Lords has again supported a proposal to ban under-16s in the UK from social media platforms, as the government was urged to act quicker to protect children.
Peers voted 266 to 141 in favour of Conservative former minister Lord Nash’s amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
It is the second time peers have defeated the government over the proposal, which would give ministers 12 months to decide which social media platforms should be unavailable to under-16s.
Technology Minister Baroness Lloyd of Effra said “it is not if we act, but how” as she defended the government’s decision to consult on whether the UK should follow Australia by introducing a ban.
