The UK government has proposed new measures to limit social media access for 16- and 17-year-olds, including a default overnight curfew from midnight to 6 a.m. and the automatic disabling of addictive features like infinite scrolling and autoplay. The measures, announced on Wednesday, will be voluntary, allowing teens to switch off the restrictions if they choose.
The proposal follows a trial involving over 300 teens and parents, which found that overnight curfews improved sleep, concentration, and mental health. However, participants also noted a "social and emotional trade-off," as social media is central to their interactions with friends.
The measures are part of a broader effort to regulate social media use among young people. In June, the UK government announced a blanket ban on social media for under-16s, set to take effect in spring 2027. The ban will cover platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X, but not messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the measures would help young people get the sleep they need, focus on school, and spend more quality time with family and friends. However, critics have questioned the effectiveness of the measures, noting that teens can easily bypass the restrictions.
The government plans to introduce the first set of regulations on social media restrictions by the end of this year, with the measures expected to come into force in spring 2027. The UK is not alone in its efforts to regulate social media for young people. Australia became the first country to enforce a legal ban on social media for children in December.