UK and Sweden Consider Social Media Limits to Protect Children

UK and Swedish governments are considering imposing fresh limits on children's use of social media amid rising fears about mental health, addiction, and criminal grooming. In the UK, ideas include an app-use cap of two hours a day and a 10pm evening limit for children. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle underlined the importance of fixing the addictive nature of platforms and encouraging healthier online behavior. These measures may be incorporated into updates to the Online Safety Act, which already mandates age-appropriate content and stricter platform accountability.

Meanwhile, Sweden is exploring even stricter actions, including a potential ban on social media for users under 16. This follows alarming reports that gangs are using platforms to recruit children as young as 11 for violent crimes. Swedish officials are urging tech companies to take stronger action, warning that legislative intervention is on the table if voluntary measures fail.

Both nations are reacting to growing research that links too much screen time to anxiety, sleep disturbance, and academic impairment. While some experts wonder whether curfews will do any good, others contend that strict boundaries are necessary to protect young consumers in a rapidly digitized world.