Britain pilots social media bans, time limits and curfews for children

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."