Time limits and curfews sound like a simple alternative to a social media ban for under-16s.
Our research has shown that they won't work. Here's why...
Time Limits
Daily caps on social media use would see teenagers limited to one hour per day on popular apps like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
Screentime can be seen as as a simple, measurable thing to explain to parents and teachers.
A daily cap gives the impression of a clear boundary. If children spend less time on social media, they will face less risk. In the meantime, social media companies are still allowed to push harmful content to our children.
Curfews
Curfews would block access to social media overnight, while allowing use before and after those hours.
There are real concerns about sleep and late night scrolling. And we agree that empowering parents with an enforceable rule seems like the right choice.
But we know that harms happen at all times of day.
Harm happens within minutes, not hours
Time limits try to get children off of social media and into the real world.
But hours of doomscrolling isn't the only thing that is harming our children. Our research has proven that a child can open an app for a few minutes and be shown content depicting self harm, suicide, eating disorders, misogyny, violence and pornography.
The real issue is what platforms expose children to the moment they log on. Any policy that still allows harmful content to reach them cannot be considered a genuine child safety solution.
Risk exists at all times of day
Overnight curfews may reduce late-night scrolling, helping some children sleep better.
Yet the minute they wake up, their phones are flooded with addictive algorithms. Before school, after school, and at the weekend, they still encounter the very dangers curfews try to protect them from.
Narrow limits are not enough because harmful content is not limited to late at night. Harms are ready and waiting for children as soon as they log on.
A false sense of security for parents
Parents may feel reassured if children are blocked from social media at certain times, but the underlying risks remain.
The addictive online world is left untouched. Platforms are not held accountable for the harms they are causing our children.
These simple restrictions risk making protection look stronger than it really is. They focus attention on when and how long children are online, rather than on whether the spaces they are entering are safe in the first place.
It’s Time to Stop Big Tech Stealing Childhoods
Contact
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