UK plans default midnight social media curfew for teens aged 16-17
The plan also disables addictive features by default and adds regular breaks for under-18s using AI chatbots, after pilot trials found better sleep.
- Britain will introduce a default overnight social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds, set to take effect next spring alongside a broader ban on social media for under-16s.
- A Government pilot involving 300 teenagers found overnight curfews improved sleep and concentration, prompting officials to include these measures alongside the upcoming under-16 ban.
- Apps like Instagram and TikTok will restrict access for older teenagers between midnight and 6 a.m. by default, while also disabling "addictive" features, though users can manually opt out.
- Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott criticized the policy as "another dog's dinner," arguing that allowing teenagers to switch off defaults renders the curfew ineffective.
- The Government plans to lay regulations before parliament by the end of 2026, aiming to integrate these measures with the broader under-16 social media ban scheduled for next spring.
86 Articles
86 Articles
U.K. Government Proposes Social Media Curfew for Older Teens Alongside Under-16 Ban
The U.K. government has proposed a social media curfew for older teenagers alongside its pending ban for those under 16. According to the BBC, 16 and 17-year-olds could face apps such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube being unavailable to access by default between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. However, they would be able […]
The UK is resolutely opposed to the social media consumption of young people. From 2027 on, the use for under 16-year-olds is banned by law. Now, the government is also calling for restrictions on older youths.
Britain wants to keep children and young people under the age of 16 away from social media. When it comes to government, even older youths should not spend time on the platforms at least at night.
TikTok And Instagram at Midnight Banned for UK Teens – What Parents Need to Know
Older teenagers in the UK could soon find TikTok, Instagram and YouTube unavailable after midnight under new government proposals aimed at tackling excessive social media use. Announced on Tuesday, the measures would introduce a default overnight curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds between 12am and 6am, alongside restrictions on addictive features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling. According to the lawmakers, the plans are designed to improve t…
Midnight Social Media Curfew For Older Teens Unveiled by UK Government
Plans have been unveiled for a first-of-its-kind overnight social media curfew for older teens in the UK. The news follows the full ban for under 16s that was announced last month, the second of its kind, following Australia. Today, the UK government said apps like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube will become unavailable by default to […]
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