Midnight social media curfew proposed for older UK teens

The UK government has unveiled plans to impose an overnight social media curfew on teenagers aged 16 and 17, rendering apps such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube unavailable by default between midnight and 06:00. Users would retain the ability to opt out of the restriction by adjusting their account settings. In tandem with the curfew, authorities intend to require the disabling of “addictive” design elements—including auto‑play and infinite scroll—citing the combined measures as a means to improve adolescent focus, sleep quality and family life. The proposal follows a June announcement that users under 16 would be barred entirely from a range of platforms, a detail preserved in the original source as the announcement successful June. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall defended the initiative, stating, “These measures volition beryllium important successful helping young radical get the slumber they need, absorption connected schoolhouse and college, and walk much prime clip with household and friends, each of which are fundamental to building a happy, steadfast and fulfilling big life,” said Technology Secretary Liz Kendall. She added, “We privation young people to enjoy the benefits of exertion portion having the tools to make the online satellite a spot wherever they tin thrive.” Opposition reaction was swift. Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott dismissed the plan as a “dog's dinner,” declaring, “Either they deliberation 16 and 17-year-olds should beryllium connected societal media oregon they don't, but curfews they tin simply power disconnected won't execute anything,” she said. The government also outlined supplementary steps aimed at promoting safer interaction with AI chatbots for under‑18s, such as mandating regular breaks for users of those services. Officials said they aim to present the forthcoming measures before Parliament by the close of 2026, with implementation intended to coincide with the existing social‑media prohibition for under‑16s slated for next spring. Critics, however, warn the approach is fragmented. Andy Burrows, chief enforcement officer of the Molly Rose Foundation, remarked, “While we invited these measures for older teens, this latest determination is yet different piecemeal acceptable of announcements not the broad program for children's information that's required,” said Andy Burrows, main enforcement of the Molly Rose Foundation. He added that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer “leaves bureau having announced a societal media prohibition without a plan” - with his apt successor Andy Burnham to “inherit a bid of missed opportunities”. Academic voices echoed reservations. Professor Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics cautioned that a blanket curfew could jeopardise vulnerable youths who rely on nocturnal online support. She told the BBC, “If it's a curfew connected companies utilizing propulsion notifications to aftermath idiosyncratic up successful the night, perfectly person a curfew,” Prof Livingstone told the BBC. “But if it's a curfew that prevents a kid successful request of enactment oregon assistance oregon comfortableness reaching retired to trusted sources successful the mediate of the night, I deliberation that's rather harmful potentially.”