Overview
- The House of Lords backed an amendment by 261–150 requiring platforms to block under‑16s and passed a separate curb targeting VPN use by under‑18s.
- Ministers launched a three‑month consultation on a ban, curfews and design limits, and the Labour leadership is reported to be preparing fast‑track powers via secondary legislation to avoid a Commons rebellion.
- More than 60 Labour MPs signed an open letter urging an urgent ban that raises the minimum social media age to 16, increasing pressure on the government.
- Researchers caution that evidence for blanket bans remains limited and mixed, with academics urging focus on reducing algorithmic harms and warning of unintended effects.
- Australia’s new law is shaping global debates as Canada considers a reported under‑14 cutoff and India’s Andhra Pradesh forms a ministerial panel to study an Australia‑style rule, even as Australia faces circumvention and industry pushback.