UK government opts for consultation over a ban, as MPs vote down a proposal to block under-16s from social media platforms.

LONDON: The UK government will launch a consultation on online safety this summer after MPs voted down a proposal for a blanket social media ban for children under 16.

The Australia-style ban, which had passed in the House of Lords in January, failed to secure enough votes in the House of Commons late Monday after the government opposed it.

More than 100 of the 404 Labour MPs abstained from the vote despite growing public and political calls to restrict children’s access, with a YouGov poll in December finding 74% of Britons supported a ban.

Education minister Olivia Bailey argued for more flexible measures, stating that a “blanket ban could drive children towards less regulated corners of the internet” and “leave teenagers unprepared when they do come online.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not ruled out a ban, confirming the consultation will consider measures including age restrictions and banning addictive features like infinite scrolling.

Actor Hugh Grant was among public figures who urged the government to back the proposal, arguing parents alone cannot counter social media harms.

Liberal Democrats education spokesperson Munira Wilson accused the government of “dither and delay” on the matter.

The government also held a roundtable with social media companies including Snapchat, TikTok, Meta and YouTube on implementing measures to protect women and girls online.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she had asked media watchdog Ofcom for a report on the platforms’ compliance with the new safety measures.

 The Sun Malaysia