'Some form' of social media restrictions for under-16s, minister promises

The government will "impose some form of age or functionality restrictions" on social media for under-16s even if it stops short of an outright ban, Education Minister Olivia Bailey has said.

Ministers proposed further amendments on Monday evening as they sought to end the stand-off with peers over the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill.

The House of Lords had voted in support of a social media ban for a fourth time on Monday afternoon.

Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott described the government's latest proposals in the Commons as a "huge step forward in keeping children safe".

MPs supported the government's motion 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.

Bailey did not give specific details about the action ministers would be taking but said the government was making a legal commitment that it "must" act once its consultation on whether the UK should introduce an Australia-style ban has concluded.

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."

Bailey said the government is "focused on addictive features, harmful algorithmically-driven content and features".

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 the [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.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told the BBC there were a range of views on what measures to impose among campaigners and the consultation would determine "the shape of that action".

Ellen Roome, from Cheltenham, who believes her son Jools Sweeney, 14, died after an online challenge went wrong, told BBC Breakfast she was "so pleased" the government had vowed to take action.

"There parents who are absolutely delighted, there was a lot of tears last night," the campaigner said.

"We've just done as much as we can to say please make a difference for everybody elses' children as its too late for us."

Shadow education secretary Trott said: "We now have a commitment on the floor of the House from the government that they will impose an age restriction for children under-16.

"And this is in addition to, not instead of, any curfews.

"This is a huge step forward in keeping children safe and supporting parents in their fight against screens destroying children's lives."

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused the government of "ducking" the issue last night.

"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," he told BBC Breakfast.

"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."

But Phillipson rejected that assertion and said the government was "committed to action".

"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."

Conservative former schools minister 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."

Lord Nash also thanked bereaved parents for their support in the campaign.

He said: "They didn't have to do this. They did it so that no other family would have to live through what they have lived through, and they have ensured that as a result every child in the country will be safer because of their work. I thank them for it."