UK MPs have voted to grant ministers sweeping powers to restrict Internet access for under 18s, rejecting a Lords amendment that would have banned social media for under 16s. The new legislation gives the government authority to block websites, social media platforms, apps and games without parliamentary approval or evidence of harm to children.

This represents a significant shift from Ofcom's current risk-based assessment framework, potentially allowing future governments to restrict content based on ideological grounds. The powers could enable measures like digital curfews and time limits on specific platforms, with examples including restricting access to games like Minecraft, Fifa and Fortnite after certain hours.

Privacy advocates warn these measures could force adults to undergo ID checks and share sensitive personal data with unregulated third-party age verification providers. Over 400 security and privacy academics have called for a moratorium on age assurance technologies until their benefits and risks are better understood, highlighting concerns about surveillance-driven advertising models and the dominance of Big Tech platforms.