Social media closing dates for youngsters thought-about by authorities

The federal government is contemplating introducing harder on-line security measures to restrict the period of time kids can spend on social media, the BBC understands.

Proposals embrace a two-hour cap on the usage of particular person social media apps and a 22:00 curfew, as first reported by the Sunday Folks and the Mirror.

Showing on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Expertise Secretary Peter Kyle mentioned he was trying on the “addictive nature of among the apps and smartphones”, when requested whether or not closing dates could be thought-about.

However a web based security campaigner has accused the federal government of delaying bringing in new legal guidelines to guard kids.

Ian Russell, whose daughter, Molly, took her personal life at 14 after seeing dangerous content material on-line, mentioned: “Daily the federal government has delayed bringing in harder on-line security legal guidelines we have seen extra younger lives misplaced and broken due to weak regulation and inaction by huge tech.”

Mr Russell, who backed the earlier authorities’s On-line Security Act, mentioned solely “stronger and more practical” laws would “lastly change the dial on essentially unsafe merchandise and enterprise fashions that prioritise engagement over security.”

“Dad and mom up and down the nation could be delighted to see the prime minister act decisively to quell the tsunami of hurt kids face on-line, however sticking plasters is not going to do the job.”

Kyle instructed the BBC he had not been capable of communicate publicly in regards to the authorities’s plans to toughen on-line security legal guidelines as a result of laws handed by the earlier Conservative authorities in 2023 had but to be enacted.

“This yr we have had unlawful content material that must be taken down, however in July, age-appropriate materials have to be equipped by platforms, in any other case there will be legal sanctions towards them,” he instructed the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.

He mentioned that he had been trying rigorously at what authorities wanted to do subsequent to “nail down more durable” on security, “perceive what a wholesome on-line life for youngsters” seemed like and “cease the boundaries” in direction of attaining that.

In January, Kyle instructed the BBC that legal guidelines on web security have been “very uneven” and “unsatisfactory”, following calls from campaigners to tighten the principles.

The minister expressed his “frustration” with the On-line Security Act however didn’t commit to creating modifications to the laws.

A Whitehall supply later instructed the BBC there have been no plans to repeal the act.