House of Lords Votes Again for Under-16 Social Media Ban Amid Child Safety Concerns
The House of Lords has supported a social media ban for under-16s for the second time, intensifying pressure on the government to address online harms to children. Peers voted 266 to 141, a majority of 125, in favour of an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill proposed by Tory former minister Lord Nash on Wednesday.
Tech Companies Accused of 'Cavalier Approach'
Lord Nash, a former director of tech companies in California, launched a scathing critique of social media firms, stating they have taken a 'cavalier approach' to content damaging to children. He argued that 'Californian techies' have gone 'way too far in prioritising their commercial instincts' and called for immediate action.
'I don't think I need to spend much time talking about the clear evidence and causal link between social media and harm to our children,' Lord Nash told the House of Lords. He expressed horror at Technology Secretary Liz Kendall's recent radio comments questioning proven causal links, asking 'where has she been?'
Emotional Tributes to Bereaved Families
The debate took an emotional turn as Lord Nash paid tribute to bereaved parents campaigning for legal changes following their children's deaths. More than 20 family members watched from the gallery, including George and Areti Nicolaou, who held a photo of their son Christoforos, who took his own life after joining an online forum.
Paediatrician and crossbench peer Baroness Cass criticised the government for 'failing to understand the impact of social media on our children' and taking a narrow view focused only on psychological aspects while ignoring wider harms documented by professionals and families.
Cross-Party Support for Immediate Action
Children's rights campaigner Baroness Kidron supported the amendment, warning that 'while we consult, children are harmed in real time, and we cannot afford to wait.' Crossbencher Lord Russell of Liverpool suggested the Lords should act as the UK's jury on social media, referencing a recent California case where Google and Meta were found to have designed deliberately addictive products harming mental health.
'We have heard about the malice and the fraud that these companies are visiting upon so many of our children and indeed on their unfortunate parents,' Lord Russell said. 'We, as the jurors, should deliberate today and give a resounding verdict.'
Government Defends Consultation Approach
Technology minister Baroness Lloyd of Effra acknowledged widespread support for an under-16 ban but defended the government's consultation as the responsible path forward. 'We know many people support a social media ban for under-16s, but other respected voices are concerned it is not the right approach,' she said.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has launched a six-week pilot involving 300 young people aged 13-17 testing different social media restrictions to assess impacts on schoolwork, sleep, and family life. The government consultation has already received over 30,000 responses addressing harms from gaming, AI chatbots, and social media.
This marks the second time Lord Nash has pushed for the ban after MPs rejected it earlier this month, opting instead to give the government wider, more flexible powers. The amendment now returns to the Commons for further consideration amid growing calls for urgent child protection measures.
