The UK government is weighing a major change: limiting children’s time on social media to two hours per app each day. The proposal also includes a 10 p.m. curfew and possible bans during school hours. These measures aim to curb addictive habits and protect young users online.
What’s Being Proposed?
- Two‑Hour App Cap: Children may be restricted to two hours per day on each social media platform. The cap applies per app.
- 10 p.m. Curfew: After 10 p.m., access to social media apps might be automatically blocked for under‑16s.
- School‑Hour Blocks: The government is also exploring blocking access during class hours.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle describes the moves as part of a plan to “break some of the addictive behaviour” linked to smartphones and social media.
Why Now?
Over 23% of children aged 8–15 in England report spending over four hours daily on internet‑enabled devices.
Growing concerns include disrupted sleep, poor concentration, and exposure to harmful content. Government ministers argue that tech companies and families alone aren’t doing enough.
A Broader Safety Push
These proposals build on the Online Safety Act 2023, which empowers Ofcom to fine tech platforms up to £18 million or 10% of turnover for allowing illegal or harmful content.
Age‑appropriate design rules also require platforms to protect children’s privacy and online health.
Support & Criticism
Support
- Tech accountability: Ministers want platforms to take responsibility for children’s online time.
- Parental relief: Many parents say they feel unprepared to handle screen-time demands.
- Child welfare: Advocates point to benefits like better sleep and mental health when screens are limited at night.
How It Might Work
Platforms could use built‑in timers to lock accounts after two hours of daily use. Curfews might automatically prevent login after 10 p.m. Similar tools already exist in TikTok’s “Family Pairing” feature.
The government says specifics—including age ranges and enforcement methods—will be detailed later in the year. A parliamentary update is expected in the autumn.
