ZURICH, November 02 (AJP) - British lawmakers on Monday debated a petition opposing the government's plan to ban children under 16 from social media, after it drew more than 217,000 signatures.
The debate will not change the plan, because debates on public petitions in Parliament end without a vote. The ban is due to take effect in spring 2027, and the first rules are expected to go before lawmakers by the end of this year.
The petition argues that many young people rely on social media to stay in touch with friends, describing it as "a lifeline" for some.
Under the ban, announced in June, children under 16 would not be allowed to open social media accounts. Features such as livestreaming and contact with strangers would also be restricted on other platforms popular with children, including online gaming services.
The government says most parents and about two-thirds of children who took part in its public consultation supported the restrictions.
The government has defended the policy as a necessary step to protect children, and ministers are due to face further questions from lawmakers on children's online safety this week.
Enforcing the ban could prove difficult. Britain's media regulator, Ofcom, has estimated that many 16- and 17-year-olds hold neither a passport nor a driving license, the documents most commonly used to verify age online.
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