MPs’ vote against a social media ban didn’t kill the idea – it may have made it easier later

By Andy Phippen, Professor of IT Ethics and Digital Rights, Bournemouth University

At first glance, the House of Commons vote on March 9 seemed to send a clear political message. MPs have decided against an amendment from the House of Lords to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would have introduced an outright ban on social media use for under-16s.

The reality is more complicated. Rather than rejecting the idea, MPs have effectively postponed the decision. They’ve also proposed powers that could allow a ban to be introduced later.

The vote was less about…

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