UK considers limiting screen time for children to two hours

Teens express concern about inappropriate content and meeting strangers online

Life

Image: Katerina Holmes via Pexels

The British government is considering measures to reduce excessive screen time among children, aiming to address concerns about compulsive app use and exposure to potentially harmful content. Technology Minister Peter Kyle has voiced his concerns about the amount of time children spend on these platforms and the nature of the content they are exposed to, according to Sky News.

After consultations with experts from the tech industry, a two-hour daily limit per platform is being seriously considered. In addition, an evening or school ban is also on the table. The proposed system would block access to apps like TikTok and Snapchat once the time limit is reached, rather than just issuing reminders.

Kyle emphasised the need for online well-being alongside healthy offline practices for children. He pointed out the importance of sleep and concentration for academic success.

The minister acknowledged that excessive app use can be harmful, even if it does not involve illegal activities. He believes that encouraging companies to set stricter default settings would give parents more control. It should also put an end to debates about screen time.

These considerations stem from a survey of 1,000 teenagers in Darlington, which revealed alarming statistics about screen time habits. Forty percent of participants said they spent at least six hours a day online, and one in five spent more than eight hours. Many of them also encounter inappropriate content and have already been approached online by strangers.

The teenagers Kyle met were concerned about the lack of restrictions and the intrusive nature of social media. This leads to excessive scrolling and neglecting real-life interactions. They advocated for stricter default controls and stressed the need for overall moderation to reduce the negative effects on mental well-being.

Some teenagers described disturbing encounters with adult strangers online. The discussions also revealed an urgent need for effective measures to protect children in the digital world.

Business AM

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