UK Trials Social Media Restrictions for Children Amid Growing Concerns

UK Trials Social Media Restrictions for Children Amid Growing Concerns

Synopsis

Britain, like other ‌governments, is ⁠considering ⁠restricting access to social media for children. Nothing ​is off the table, it has said, including following ​Australia in a complete ban for under-16s.
Hundreds of British families will test social media bans, curfews and app time limits to see how they impact children's sleep, family life and schoolwork, the government said.

Britain, like other ‌governments, is ⁠considering ⁠restricting access to social media for children. Nothing ​is off the table, it has said, including following ​Australia in a complete ban for under-16s.

Experts have said there is no clear evidence ​that a ban would be ⁠effective, while ‌a group of young people ​in ​London recently told Reuters they were ⁠opposed to restrictions.

The measures will be ​tested in the homes of 300 ​teenagers, the government said, and data from the pilots would inform a consultation launched earlier this month.

"We are determined to give young people the childhood they deserve ‌and to prepare them for the future," Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said ​on Tuesday.

"This ​is why ⁠we are listening to parents, children and experts with our consultation, as well as testing different ​options in the real world.

"These pilots will give us the evidence we need to take the next steps, informed by the experiences of families themselves."