Ministers in the United Kingdom are considering implementing social media time limits for children to keep them from getting too addicted to online platforms.
Technology secretary Peter Kyle's department is the one responsible for online safety and he said he wants to do more in protecting kids from excessive use of smartphones. He added that he wants to help children have a healthier relationship with technology overall.
UK Lawmakers Considering Social Media App Cap for Children
The situation comes after the official was pressed on the issue in a report over the weekend that noted he was looking at further restrictions. Many believe that Kyle is considering various options, such as two-hour curfews for social media apps and blocks on children from accessing content after 10:00 p.m. or during school hours.
On Sunday, he was asked whether or not he is looking at an "app cap" and he answered by saying that he is looking into a variety of things that can prevent healthy activity. He added that he is also looking at some of the addictive nature of some apps and smartphones in general, according to The Guardian.
The technology secretary said he is thinking of how he can help break some of the addictive behavior of kids and encourage the more healthy developmental and good communicative side of online life.
Kyle said he is aware of how people feel about protecting their children and that new legislation on online safety being implemented right now could still be made better. He noted that platforms will be responsible for providing age-appropriate material starting in July this year or else they can face criminal sanctions.
Protecting Kids Online
Despite this, Ian Russell, an online safety campaigner whose 14-year-old daughter took her own life after seeing harmful content online, is accusing the government of being too slow in implementing new laws to protect children, BBC reported.
The father said more and more young lives are being lost every day as the government delays bringing in tougher online safety laws. He previously supported the Online Safety Act but now argues that only "stronger and more effective" legislation can actually make a difference.
Under the measure under consideration, children would be blocked from accessing social media apps, including TikTok and Snapchat, after reaching the time limit. However, lawmakers acknowledge that this will not completely solve the current issue as kids can still get more screen time by using multiple devices, but they believe it's a good start, as per Mirror.
