Government Considers Limits on Children’s Social Media Time
The UK government is considering introducing stricter online safety measures that would legally limit how much time children can spend on social media. According to reports first published by the Sunday People and the Mirror, proposals include a two-hour daily cap per social media app and a curfew that would prevent access after 10 pm.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle confirmed in a BBC interview that the government is actively looking into the “addictive nature” of certain apps and smartphones, and acknowledged the need to better define what a healthy online life for children should look like.
He also noted that while parts of the Online Safety Act, passed in 2023 by the previous Conservative government, are coming into effect this year, there is more work to be done to ensure stronger protections.
Online safety campaigners, however, have voiced frustration at what they see as a slow response. Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly took her own life at age 14 after being exposed to harmful online content, criticised the government for delaying tougher regulations.
Russell, a vocal supporter of the Online Safety Act, argued that only robust, enforceable laws can address the dangers posed by platforms that prioritise engagement and profit over the safety of young users. “Sticking plasters will not do the job,” he warned.
While some parental control tools already exist, such as Apple’s and Google’s screen time settings, or TikTok’s default 60-minute daily limit for under-18s, uptake is reportedly low. Former Meta executive Sir Nick Clegg acknowledged that many parents find the multitude of controls across different platforms too confusing or burdensome to manage effectively.
Dame Rachel de Souza, England’s Children’s Commissioner, urged the government to be bolder in its approach, arguing that children should not be left to navigate the risks of the online world alone. She said that if companies cannot ensure online spaces are safe for children, then children should not be using them at all.
Countries like China have implemented far stricter policies. In 2021, it introduced a rule limiting children to just one hour of online gaming per day on weekends and holidays. Although some proposals for further restrictions have since stalled, China’s model is frequently cited by those in favour of tougher legislation elsewhere.
Despite the Online Safety Act already being law, the UK government has not yet enacted it fully, and has not committed to strengthening or amending the legislation. A Whitehall source told the BBC there are currently no plans to repeal or replace it, despite growing pressure.
As social media continues to shape the lives of children, the debate over how best to regulate it, without overreach or inaction, remains deeply polarised.
