MPs reject social media ban for under 16s as bereaved families issue warning

MPs reject social media ban for under 16s as bereaved families issue warningBereaved parents have piled pressure on Keir Starmer to take urgent action on social media - as MPs voted down a proposal to ban under 16s from accessing platformsCommentsNewsSophie Huskisson Political Correspondent19:13, 15 Apr 2026Updated 19:18, 15 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesBereaved families handed in a letter to No10 calling for urgent action on social mediaBereaved parents have piled pressure on Keir Starmer to take urgent action on social media - as MPs voted down a proposal to ban under 16s from accessing platforms.‌Grieving parents whose children’s deaths are linked to social media criticised the Government’s lack of "decisive" action and warned it “risks being outmanoeuvred by the relentless pace of Big Tech”.‌Pressure is increasing on the PM to ban social media for under 16s, with peers this evening forcing a second vote on the issue in the Commons within six weeks.‌MPs rejected the latest amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, with MPs voting 256 to 150.Last month, MPs voted 307 to 173 against the Lords proposal for an outright ban. One Labour MP John McDonnell previously rebelled against the Government to support a ban.READ MORE: TikTok boss confronted over teen's unexplained death and missing dataView 2 ImagesThe PM is under pressure to take action urgently(Image: James Veysey/Shutterstock)‌The Government has not supported the amendments as it is currently consulting on a range of online safety measures, including a social media ban, as well as curbing addictive features on apps or introducing overnight curfews on sites.Ahead of the vote, Education minister Olivia Bailey branded the Lords’ amendment “narrow”, telling MPs: “Our consultation allows us to address a much wider range of services and features. It also allows us to consider the different views about the way forward, and that's why it's crucial that we do not preempt the government&#x...