UK Government Pledges Social Media Restrictions for Under-16s Amid Parliamentary Debate

The government is committed to implementing social media restrictions for under-16s but ministers must "make sure it works" before introducing changes, the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has told the BBC. Phillipson's comments came after junior education minister Olivia Bailey said the government will "impose some form of age or functionality restrictions" even if it stops short of a ban. Campaigners have called for an Australia-style ban on children using social media, but there are questions about how effective the prohibition has been. Monday saw the latest stand-off between the government and House of Lords over the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which would give ministers the power to introduce sweeping restrictions on social media usage. The government proposed further amendments to the Bill on Monday in an effort to end the deadlock, including one which would give ministers the power to implement a ban in the future but stops short of introducing as quickly as the Lords had called for. MPs supported the government's changes to the draft law by 272 votes to 64, with the Bill now returning to the Lords for what looks to be the final consideration before it receives royal assent and becomes law. On Monday, Bailey said the government was making a legal commitment that it "must" act once its consultation restrictions concludes on 26 May, but did not give specific details about the action ministers would take. She told the Commons: "Let us be clear: the status quo cannot continue. We are consulting on the mechanism and that is the right thing to do. "But 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." The minister said a "progress report" must be made three months after the legislation receives royal assent, adding this reflects "our intention to quickly produce a response following the consultation". She added: "Following this we will have 12 months to lay regulations, but our firm intention is to move faster and [Technology Secretary Liz Kendall] has been clear that we aim to do this before the end of the year." Bailey said the government would, in "exceptional circumstances", have the option to extend the timeline by a further six months but they would have to explain to Parliament why this is needed. Speaking to BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, Bridget Phillipson said there were a range of views on what measures to impose among campaigners and the consultation would determine "the shape of that action". The education secretary said the government was "committed to action", adding: "It is not a question of whether we take action, we know we have to, we know we need to do more to keep people safe. Its a question of... how we make sure it works." After Monday's vote, shadow education secretary Laura Trott said there was now a "commitment on the floor of the House from the government that they will impose an age restriction for children under-16". Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused the government of "ducking" the issue during Monday's votes, telling BBC Breakfast: "I think this is just an excuse for the government not to take action. They could have set a timetable in law to force their hand. They need to have moved faster." He added: "If you look at the mental health impact on children, the devastation its caused for some families, I'm afraid kicking the can is not an answer, we need action and we need it in the next 12 months." Conservative former schools minister and academy chain founder Lord Nash, who led calls for a social media ban in the House of Lords, thanked the government for saying it would act. He said: "We will now all turn our attention - together - to making sure this is implemented as soon as possible in the best way to protect our children."