2/3 of parents across the UK say they support a daily 2 hour limit on social media for under-18s, according to research from Uswitch Broadband. The survey found that 66% of parents agree with the plan, with 37% strongly in favour and another 29% backing it to some degree.
Technology secretary Peter Kyle said a decision will be announced in the autumn. The idea is to give families firmer guidance on how much screen time is considered acceptable.
For parents, this debate is close to home. 1 in 5 said their child spends between 1 and 3 hours a day on social platforms, while 12% reported that their children spend three or more hours every day online.
What Difficulties Are Families Facing?
The survey shows that households often struggle to manage social media. 35% of parents said that keeping track of what their children do online is their toughest task. Another 32% spoke about resistance from children, while 32% reffered to the use of multiple devices or accounts.
Confidence levels are mixed because while 73% of parents feel able to manage their child’s social media use, 19% said they are not confident. 7% admitted that they do not manage their children’s use at all.
The research also shows that parents are unsure what is reasonable. 1 in 5 said they cannot decide how much screen time is appropriate. This uncertainty leaves parents guessing, particularly as children compare their habits to their friends.
How Are Parents Trying To Keep Control?
Search data examined by Uswitch shows that UK parents are actively looking for solutions. The term “apps for parental control” attracts more than 1,900 searches every month. This shows a strong appetite for tools that can help manage access across devices.
Some parents also said they lack knowledge about the platforms their children use. Fourteen percent admitted that they do not fully understand the apps, which makes it harder to set meaningful rules.
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Families are also relying on shared habits at home. Many set aside screen-free times such as family meals or before bed. Parents who model the same behaviour often find it easier to encourage children to do the same, creating a shared sense of discipline.
Max Beckett, broadband expert at Uswitch, explains the important role of the internet and home Wi-Fi tools, which help to support healthier online habits, particularly when it comes to social media:
“Beyond settings which can be changed directly in social media platforms, parents can also place certain controls through their broadband provider. Many Wi-Fi routers include features such as family filters to block inappropriate content, the ability to plan connectivity hours, or even the option to set access for specific devices like tablets, consoles, or laptops.
“We know from our research that 32% of parents struggle to monitor social media use as their children have access to multiple devices or accounts, and it’s not just social media parents need to think about[1]. Keeping tabs on YouTube, streaming platforms, and gaming services can be just as time-consuming, and they’re often accessed on shared family devices. Broadband-level controls allow parents to manage these platforms consistently, whether they’re being used on a phone, computer, or games console.”
What Advice Is Being Given To Parents?
Beckett encouraged families to start with open conversations. He said that talking calmly about what children enjoy online can help them feel involved when limits are set.
He also recommended setting strict daily limits and keeping spaces in the home screen-free, adding that parents should be mindful of their own scrolling habits if they want children to follow along.
Max said that parents should take advantage of parental controls offered by broadband providers. These tools can apply limits across devices, giving parents more confidence that restrictions will be consistent. He also mentioned how families should adjust rules as children grow older or during holiday periods.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is reviewing the 2 hour cap and plans to make an announcement later this year. Public backing looks strong, but the survey shows that families face complex realities at home.
Even if a national cap is introduced, the daily management of children’s online time will fall to parents. Monitoring will continue to be difficult and children may still resist the limits…
