The BBC understands the government is considering stricter online safety regulations to curb children’s social media usage.
Proposed measures, as initially reported by the Sunday People and the Mirror, include a two-hour limit per social media app and a 10 PM curfew.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, appearing on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, acknowledged examining the “addictive nature” of certain apps and smartphones when questioned about potential time restrictions.
However, an online safety advocate criticized the government for delaying crucial child protection legislation.
Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly died by suicide at 14 after encountering harmful online content, stated: “Each day of delay in implementing stronger online safety laws results in more young lives lost or harmed due to weak regulation and tech inaction.”
Mr. Russell, a supporter of the previous government’s Online Safety Act, emphasized that only “stronger and more effective” legislation would address “fundamentally unsafe products and business models prioritizing engagement over safety.”
“Parents nationwide would welcome decisive action from the prime minister to combat the online harm children face, but superficial solutions won’t suffice.”
Kyle explained to the BBC his inability to publicly discuss plans to strengthen online safety laws due to the 2023 Online Safety Act, passed by the previous Conservative government, not yet being enacted.
“This year, we’ve addressed illegal content removal, but by July, platforms must provide age-appropriate material or face criminal penalties,” he stated on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
He detailed his focus on determining the government’s next steps to enhance safety, define “a healthy online life for children,” and remove obstacles to achieving this goal.
In January, Kyle informed the BBC that internet safety laws were “very uneven” and “unsatisfactory,” following calls from campaigners for stricter regulations.
While expressing “frustration” with the Online Safety Act, the minister did not commit to amending the legislation. A Whitehall source later confirmed to the BBC that there were no plans to repeal the act.
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