UK Plans Midnight Social Media Curfew for Teenagers
UK government proposes overnight social media limits for teenagers as part of wider efforts to improve online safety and wellbeing.
The UK government has announced plans for a social media curfew targeting teenagers aged 16 and 17 as part of efforts to create a safer online environment.
Under the proposal, platforms including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube would automatically restrict access for teenagers between midnight and 6:00 a.m. However, users would still have the option to remove the restriction through their account settings.
The government said the social media curfew aims to improve sleep, support concentration in schools and colleges, and encourage more offline time with family and friends. Technology companies would also be required to disable features such as auto-play and infinite scrolling by default for older teenagers.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall described the measures as an important move towards healthier digital habits. She said the proposals would 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, all of which are fundamental to building a happy, healthy and fulfilling adult life.”
The announcement follows the government’s earlier decision to restrict social media access for children under 16. Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan said combining the overnight limits with controls on addictive platform features would make Britain a global leader in technology regulation.
However, the social media curfew has received criticism from some campaigners and experts. Ellen Roome, whose son died after an online challenge, questioned the effectiveness of a restriction teenagers could simply turn off.
She said, “I just think it’s not good enough really just to have a product you can switch off,” and argued that stronger action was needed.
Experts also raised concerns about possible negative effects. Professor Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics warned that restrictions could stop vulnerable young people from seeking support online at night.
The proposed social media curfew legislation is expected to reach Parliament before the end of 2026, with implementation planned alongside wider online safety rules.
Do you think an optional social media curfew can effectively protect teenagers online?
