CHILDREN face being hit with restrictions on the amount of time they spend on their smartphones under new plans.
Curbs such as a two-hour limit per app and a 10pm curfew could be brought in to boost online safety, a Cabinet Minister has indicated.
But the move was heavily criticised by campaigners who warned “sticking plasters” won’t be enough to toughen up current laws.
It comes after The Sun told this week that one Year 6 class – aged 10 and 11 – had exchanged 9,000 messages in a single night.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle gave a clear sign he is considering bringing in an “app cap” for children to tackle big tech firms.
He said: “I’m looking at things that prevent healthy activity, I’m looking at some of the addictive nature of some of the apps and smartphones.
“I’m trying to think how we can break some of the addictive behaviour and incentivise more of the healthy developmental and also the good communicative side of online life.”
Tech firms will be have to follow regulator Ofcom’s code of conduct to keep users safe online, especially children.
Substantial fines and blocking sites are among the penalties for those caught breaking the rules – but campaigners warn this gives the firms the ability to regulate themselves.
Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly took her own life aged 14 after viewing harmful content on social media, hit out at the plans saying Ministers must “act decisively”.
He said: “Every day the Government has delayed bringing in tougher online safety laws we’ve seen more young lives lost and damaged because of weak regulation and inaction by big tech.
“Parents up and down the country would be delighted to see the Prime Minister act decisively to quell the tsunami of harm children face online, but sticking plasters will not do the job.
Mr Russell added: “Only a stronger and more effective Online Safety Act will finally change the dial on fundamentally unsafe products and business models that prioritise engagement over safety.”
