UK Proposes Default Social Media Curfew for Older Teens

The Government of the United Kingdom has proposed a default overnight social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, restricting access to platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube between midnight and 6 a.m. The plan, unveiled by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, also aims to disable addictive features such as infinite scrolling and auto-play by default. These measures are designed to prevent a protection gap as teenagers age out of a separate planned ban on social media for children under 16.

While the government describes the move as a decisive intervention, the curfew is not mandatory. Teenagers can opt out of the restrictions through their account settings or by selecting yes when prompted by the application. The proposal requires parliamentary legislation and is expected to be presented by the end of 2026, with enforcement targeted for spring 2027.

Beyond the curfew, the government intends to implement safety measures for AI chatbots used by under-18s and update the National Curriculum to improve media literacy regarding AI and disinformation. Opposition figures, including Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott, have criticized the policy, arguing that an easily disabled curfew is ineffective and logically inconsistent with granting 16-year-olds the vote.