UK Announces Overnight Social Media Curfew for Older Teenagers

The UK government is introducing a new measure to curb excessive social media use among teenagers, announcing an overnight curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds. This policy will restrict their access to platforms such as Instagram and Facebook between midnight and 6 a.m.

This initiative is part of a broader strategy to protect young people from the potential harms of addictive online features. The government also plans to implement default settings that will disable features like infinite scrolling for older teenagers. While users can opt out of these settings, critics question their effectiveness and enforcement mechanisms.

“

Even as young people gain greater independence at 16, they should still be protected from the most addictive online features that can have a harmful impact on their wellbeing.

These measures build upon Prime Minister Keir Starmer's earlier announcement of a ban on social media for individuals under 16, which is scheduled to come into effect in early 2027. The platforms affected by the under-16 ban include Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.

Technology minister Liz Kendall stated that these regulations are crucial for ensuring young people get adequate sleep, can focus on their studies, and spend quality time with family and friends. The government is also examining the use of AI chatbots, proposing that users under 18 take regular breaks while interacting with them. While some children's charities have welcomed the reforms, others have expressed concerns that such restrictions might push young people to use the internet in less safe ways.

“

These measures will be crucial in helping young people get the sleep they need, focus on school and college, and spend more quality time with family and friends.