The UK government is considering introducing new rules that would limit how long children can use social media each day. This move is part of a wider effort to protect young people from spending too much time online and being exposed to harmful or inappropriate content.
One suggestion being explored is to restrict children to a maximum of two hours per day on each social media platform. Another proposal is to introduce a curfew, which would prevent kids from accessing these apps after 10:00 PM. These limits aim to reduce the negative effects of constant screen time on mental health and overall well-being.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle recently discussed these ideas on a BBC program. He expressed concern over how addictive smartphones and social media platforms have become, especially for children and teenagers. He stressed the importance of setting clear standards for what a safe and healthy digital experience should look like for young users.
Although the Online Safety Act was passed in 2023, it hasn’t yet taken full effect. Kyle noted that starting July 2025, social media platforms will be expected to ensure their content is suitable for different age groups or risk facing legal consequences. Until that deadline, many people are urging the government to act more quickly.
Among those calling for urgent action is Ian Russell, the father of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who died after viewing harmful content online. He believes the government has taken too long to protect children and that minor changes like screen time limits are not enough. In his view, stronger regulations are needed to hold tech companies accountable, especially when their business models encourage users to stay online longer, even if it’s harmful.
Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, also supports stricter measures. She pointed out that children today have grown up using the internet, and it’s unfair to expect them to manage their safety alone. She argued that if platforms can’t ensure children are protected, then children shouldn’t be allowed on them.
She also emphasized that the problem isn’t just about how long kids spend online. Even short periods can be dangerous if the content they encounter is disturbing or damaging. That’s why she wants the government and Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, to strengthen existing laws and prioritize child safety over company profits.
At the moment, there are tools that allow parents to set screen time limits. Both Apple and Google offer built-in features, and apps like TikTok and Instagram have their own controls. For instance, TikTok introduced a 60-minute daily limit for users under 18 in 2023. Instagram also allows users to set reminders or block access after a chosen time.
However, many families don’t use these tools. Experts say the settings can be complicated and differ from app to app, making it hard for parents to manage them consistently. This confusion is one reason the government is now looking at whether enforced legal limits could work better.
Still, bringing in these laws won’t be easy. Many major tech companies are based in the United States, where attempts by other countries to control their operations have often been resisted, especially under the leadership of President Trump.
Other nations have tried similar measures. In China, for example, rules introduced in 2021 restricted children to just one hour of online gaming on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. These changes were aimed at reducing what the government described as unhealthy gaming habits. Although China once had even stricter internet policies, some have since been quietly rolled back.
Back in the UK, Peter Kyle has said that the current system of online safety laws is incomplete and inconsistent. While he seems eager to make progress, he hasn’t committed to specific legal changes just yet.
For companies like Thumzup Media Corp. (NASDAQ: TZUP) with interests in the social media space around the world, the ongoing debate about how to protect children from the potential harms of social media will be keenly watched since they are committed to operating in ways that are within the law and are beyond reproach.
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