{"id":1029,"date":"2026-01-20T16:24:45","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T16:24:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/phonelocker.marklanham.com\/?p=1029"},"modified":"2026-01-20T16:24:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T16:24:45","slug":"the-uk-government-considers-social-media-time-limits-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/phonelocker.marklanham.com\/ja\/the-uk-government-considers-social-media-time-limits-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"The UK Government Considers Social Media Time Limits for Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"<section\n  class=\"section section-flexible-content-block\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-md-12 reveal active\" data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n        <div class=\"content\">\n          <div class=\"content__centered\">\n            <p>The UK government is thinking about bringing in stricter rules to limit how much time kids spend on social media, following similar talks in Europe last week, as a rising body of evidence shows the negative effects of social media on children\u2019s mental and physical health.<\/p>\n<p>EU countries discussed setting a \u201cdigital age of adulthood,\u201d meaning kids would need parental consent to use social media. France, Greece, and Denmark support banning under-15s from using these platforms, while Spain suggests raising the age limit to under-16s.<\/p>\n<p>No final decisions were made, but Denmark\u2019s Digital Minister Caroline Stage Olsen said, \u201cIt\u2019s going to be something we\u2019re pushing for.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the European Commission plans to roll out an age-verification app next month, stating that it can function without requiring personal information.<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere in the world, Australia has already banned social media for under-16s, taking effect later this year, whilst New Zealand and Norway are considering similar bans<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section\n  class=\"section section-video-block section--no-padding-bottom section--no-padding-top\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n                <div class=\"video-block__content\">\n          <div class=\"content\">\n            <div class=\"content__centered\">\n                            <div class=\"video-block__video_link_container\">\n                <iframe title=\"\u96fb\u8a71\u7981\u6b62\u4ee4\u306f\u6709\u52b9\u304b\uff1f\u30b8\u30fc\u30cb\u30f3\u30fb\u30de\u30cb\u30e5\u30a8\u30eb\u6821\u304c\u610f\u898b\u3092\u4ea4\u63db\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xuCyR3gp79c?start=6&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>              <\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section\n  class=\"section section-flexible-content-block\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-md-12 reveal active\" data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n        <div class=\"content\">\n          <div class=\"content__centered\">\n            <p>Speaking on the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/episode\/m002d9h7\/sunday-with-laura-kuenssberg-the-spending-review-and-why-schwarzenegger-wants-you-to-stop-whining\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BBC\u2019s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg<\/a>, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said he\u2019s reviewing \u201cthe addictive nature of some of the apps and smartphones\u201d and looking at what more the government can do to keep children safe online.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis year we\u2019ve had illegal content that needs to be taken down,\u201d he said. \u201cBut in July, age-appropriate material must be supplied by platforms, otherwise there\u2019ll be criminal sanctions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added that the government is working to \u201cnail down harder\u201d on safety and define \u201cwhat a healthy online life for children\u201d should look like.<\/p>\n<p>While the Technology Secretary has been in talks with social media firms already, with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ofcom.org.uk\/online-safety\/protecting-children\/new-rules-for-a-safer-generation-of-children-online\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ofcom also publishing a children\u2019s code<\/a>\u00a0aimed at taming toxic algorithms, there may be difficulties in controlling the likes of Meta and X, which are based in the USA.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to the BBC, online safety campaigner Ian Russell has criticised the government for delays in introducing stricter laws to protect children online. His daughter, Molly, took her own life at 14 after viewing harmful content on social media.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery day the government has delayed bringing in tougher online safety laws, we\u2019ve seen more young lives lost and damaged because of weak regulation and inaction by big tech,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Russell, a supporter of the Online Safety Act, warned that only \u201cstronger and more effective\u201d legislation would tackle \u201cfundamentally unsafe products and business models that prioritise engagement over safety.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u201cParents up and down the country would be delighted to see the prime minister act decisively\u2026 but sticking plasters will not do the job.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><strong>How can children\u2019s screentime be managed now?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Reports indicate that teens spend more than 4 hours on social media every day. It\u2019s therefore important to work as a family to limit screen time and have healthy conversations about behaviour online.<\/p>\n<p>You could create a family media plan, establishing screen-free times (e.g., dinner time, or an hour before bedtime), use parental controls and apps to manage screen time limits, and encourage alternative activities like reading or outdoor play.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, you could emphasise when it\u2019s\u00a0<em>good<\/em>\u00a0to use the phone in more positive ways \u2013 like using YouTube to learn a new skill, searching for online recipes, or makeup techniques.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>How Phone Locker can help\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>To aid children resisting the urge to reach for their smartphones, Phone Locker\u00ae launched their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/phonelocker.marklanham.com\/ja\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lockable phone pouch<\/a>\u00a0in 2020, which prevents access to the phone without a special magnet. It\u2019s proved a popular solution in schools,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/phonelocker.marklanham.com\/ja\/school-phone-bans-the-rise-of-lockable-smartphone-pouches\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">where phones are banned in classrooms in most countries<\/a>. Not only have schools noticed better disciple and exam results, but teachers are also pleased to see students interacting more outside of class too.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section\n  class=\"section section-flexible-content-block\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-md-12 reveal active\" data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n        <div class=\"content\">\n          <div class=\"content__centered\">\n            <h3><strong>What\u2019s happening in the UK?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Speaking on the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/iplayer\/episode\/m002d9h7\/sunday-with-laura-kuenssberg-the-spending-review-and-why-schwarzenegger-wants-you-to-stop-whining\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BBC\u2019s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg<\/a>, Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said he\u2019s reviewing \u201cthe addictive nature of some of the apps and smartphones\u201d and looking at what more the government can do to keep children safe online.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis year we\u2019ve had illegal content that needs to be taken down,\u201d he said. \u201cBut in July, age-appropriate material must be supplied by platforms, otherwise there\u2019ll be criminal sanctions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added that the government is working to \u201cnail down harder\u201d on safety and define \u201cwhat a healthy online life for children\u201d should look like.<\/p>\n<p>While the Technology Secretary has been in talks with social media firms already, with\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ofcom.org.uk\/online-safety\/protecting-children\/new-rules-for-a-safer-generation-of-children-online\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ofcom also publishing a children\u2019s code<\/a>\u00a0aimed at taming toxic algorithms, there may be difficulties in controlling the likes of Meta and X, which are based in the USA.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking to the BBC, online safety campaigner Ian Russell has criticised the government for delays in introducing stricter laws to protect children online. His daughter, Molly, took her own life at 14 after viewing harmful content on social media.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery day the government has delayed bringing in tougher online safety laws, we\u2019ve seen more young lives lost and damaged because of weak regulation and inaction by big tech,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Russell, a supporter of the Online Safety Act, warned that only \u201cstronger and more effective\u201d legislation would tackle \u201cfundamentally unsafe products and business models that prioritise engagement over safety.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He added: \u201cParents up and down the country would be delighted to see the prime minister act decisively\u2026 but sticking plasters will not do the job.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><strong>How can children\u2019s screentime be managed now?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Reports indicate that teens spend more than 4 hours on social media every day. It\u2019s therefore important to work as a family to limit screen time and have healthy conversations about behaviour online.<\/p>\n<p>You could create a family media plan, establishing screen-free times (e.g., dinner time, or an hour before bedtime), use parental controls and apps to manage screen time limits, and encourage alternative activities like reading or outdoor play.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, you could emphasise when it\u2019s\u00a0<em>good<\/em>\u00a0to use the phone in more positive ways \u2013 like using YouTube to learn a new skill, searching for online recipes, or makeup techniques.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>How Phone Locker can help\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>To aid children resisting the urge to reach for their smartphones, Phone Locker\u00ae launched their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/phonelocker.marklanham.com\/ja\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lockable phone pouch<\/a>\u00a0in 2020, which prevents access to the phone without a special magnet. It\u2019s proved a popular solution in schools,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/phonelocker.marklanham.com\/ja\/school-phone-bans-the-rise-of-lockable-smartphone-pouches\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">where phones are banned in classrooms in most countries<\/a>. Not only have schools noticed better disciple and exam results, but teachers are also pleased to see students interacting more outside of class too.<\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n          <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"section section-quote-block\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"section-image__parallax-content\">\n      <div class=\"row\">\n        <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n          <div class=\"section-quote-block__text reveal active\" data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n            <h4 class=\"text--white\">&#8220;But in July, age-appropriate material must be supplied by platforms, otherwise there\u2019ll be criminal sanctions.\u201d<\/h4>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"section-quote-block__parallax-image lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/phonelocker.marklanham.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/photo-peter-kyle.png&#039;)\">\n      <div class=\"section-quote-block__mask\"><\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div\n  class=\"section section-contact-us-block section--alt-color\">\n  <div class=\"container reveal active\" data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n      <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n        <h2 class=\"text--center\">\u5b66\u6821\u3067\u643a\u5e2f\u96fb\u8a71\u3092\u4f7f\u308f\u306a\u3044<\/h2>\n        <p class=\"text--center\">Curious to learn how your school could go phone-free? Contact us for no obligation advice.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"col-md-12 d-flex justify-content-center\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/phonelocker.marklanham.com\/ja\/contact-us\/\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn--lg\">\n          \u304a\u554f\u3044\u5408\u308f\u305b        <\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<section\n  class=\"section section-posts-panel-block reveal active section--alt-grey\"\n  data-section=\"related-articles\"\n   data-aos=\"fade-up\" data-aos-duration=\"1000\">\n  <div class=\"container\">\n    <div class=\"row\">\n\n            <div class=\"col-md-12\">\n        <h2 class=\"text--center\">\u95a2\u9023\u8a18\u4e8b<\/h2>\n        <p class=\"text--center\">\u4ee5\u4e0b\u306e\u95a2\u9023\u8a18\u4e8b\u3092\u3054\u89a7\u304f\u3060\u3055\u3044\u3002.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      \n      <!-- Section panels -->\n            <div class=\"container-slider-carousel\">\n        <ul class=\"slider-carousel slider-carousel-posts\">\n        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