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 embody a two-hour cap on using particular person social media apps and a 22:00 curfew, as first reported by the Sunday People and the Mirror.
Showing on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Know-how Secretary Peter Kyle stated he was trying on the “addictive nature of among the apps and smartphones”, when requested whether or not deadlines could be thought of.
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, stated: “On daily basis 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 massive tech.”
Mr Russell, who backed the earlier authorities’s On-line Security Act, stated solely “stronger and simpler” laws would “lastly change the dial on basically unsafe merchandise and enterprise fashions that prioritise engagement over security.”
“Mother and father 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 advised the BBC he had not been in a position to 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 12 months we have had unlawful content material that must be taken down, however in July, age-appropriate materials have to be provided by platforms, in any other case there will be legal sanctions in opposition to them,” he advised the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.
He stated 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 kids” regarded like and “cease the obstacles” in the direction of attaining that.
In January, Kyle told the BBC that legal guidelines on web security had been “very uneven” and “unsatisfactory”, following calls from campaigners to tighten the foundations.
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 advised the BBC there have been no plans to repeal the act.
