Education secretary says social media restrictions for under-16s will be introduced

Restrictions on social media for under-16s will be introduced, the education secretary has told Sky News.

Bridget Phillipson told Mornings with Ridge and Frost there would be "more action to keep young people safe online, including around social media".

It will include restrictions on age or functionality, she added.

However, she said there were no specific details yet because the government was still consulting with campaigners and families on what exactly the restrictions will look like.

The House of Lords has proposed a complete social media ban for under-16s, but MPs have overturned that, saying that the government consultation needs to conclude first.

Lords voted in support of a ban for a fourth time on Monday afternoon. But ministers proposed further amendments to end the stand-off with peers over the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

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Education minister Olivia Bailey told the Commons "some form of age or functionality restriction" will be brought in.

Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott described the government's latest proposals as a "huge step forward in keeping children safe".

Speaking to the Commons after the latest vote, Ms Bailey said ministers had "listened carefully to the concerns raised across both Houses about the importance of the government acting swiftly once the consultation has concluded".

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She added: "The government has said repeatedly that it is a question of how we act, not if, but to put it 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."

The education minister then said that "the status quo cannot continue" and added: "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."

'Huge step forward'

The House of Lords voted 316 to 165 in favour of Conservative former minister Lord Nash's amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which would have introduced an outright ban on social media for those under 16 years old.

The Conservatives have been calling for a ban for months. It would see the UK follow in the footsteps of Australia, while other countries in Europe – including France and Spain – consider similar restrictions.

Speaking before Monday's developments in parliament, a cabinet minister told Sky News a decision on a ban would come before the end of the year.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said ministers would "act relatively quickly" once the government's consultation concluded in a few weeks.

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