United Kingdom: Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Progress
Scope
Timeline of events
Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 received Royal Assent
On 29 April 2026, the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 received Royal Assent. The Act inserts a new section 214A into the Online Safety Act 2023, requiring the Secretary of State to exercise a power to prevent or restrict access by children…
House of Lords agree amendment requiring under-16 social media restrictions in Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026
On 28 April 2026, the House of Lords rejected Motion A1 by 91 votes to 181 and agreed Motion A on the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, accepting Commons Amendments 38Z12 to 38Z21. The amendments require the Secretary of State to exercise the p…
House of Lords accepted the Commons’ revised framework to allow Secretary of State to require internet service providers to block children’s access to online services
On 20 April 2026, the House of Lords did not insist on its earlier amendment and instead agreed to the Commons' alternative framework, which grants the Secretary of State a discretionary power to require internet service providers to prevent or rest…
House of Commons rejected Lords amendment requiring mandatory social media access restrictions for children and proposed amendments in lieu to Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill
On 16 April 2026, the House of Commons rejected a Lords amendment that would have required the Secretary of State to mandate all regulated user-to-user services to use highly effective age assurance measures to prevent under-16s from becoming or bei…
House of Lords adopted amendment 94A to Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill introducing regulations to prevent under 16s from accessing social media
On 21 January 2026, the House of Lords approved the amendment 94A to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill to promote children's wellbeing in relation to social media platforms. The amendment requires the Secretary of State to direct the Chief …