UK proposes midnight curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds on social media
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall says measures aim to improve sleep and academic focus, with full regulations set for Parliament later this year.
The United Kingdom’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has announced plans to require social media companies to implement a default curfew for users aged 16 and 17. The proposed measure would block access to social platforms between midnight and 6 am, although the restriction can be overridden by the user. This curfew is designed to operate alongside a total ban on social media for children under 16, which is expected to take effect in spring 2027.
In addition to the time-based restrictions, the regulations mandate the default disabling of "addictive" features for older teenagers. These include autoplay videos and personalised feeds, which will be switched off by default but remain subject to user override. The DSIT stated that these measures are intended to ensure there is no "cliff edge" in protections as young people move into their later teenage years, particularly given that future cohorts may have no prior experience with social media due to the constraints imposed by the Online Safety Act.
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall described the regulations as crucial for helping young people secure adequate sleep, maintain focus on school and college, and spend more quality time with family and friends. The department emphasised that the goal is to allow young people to enjoy the benefits of technology while ensuring the online environment supports their development into happy, healthy adults.
The government is also proposing additional protections regarding artificial intelligence. These include mandated chatbot breaks for users under 18 and potential bans on AI chatbots that pose serious threats to youth mental health. Regulators will be tasked with restricting services that provide dangerous, misleading, or unverified mental health advice. The DSIT noted that chatbots found to imitate romantic conversations are already set to be blocked for minors.
The first full set of social media regulations is scheduled to be put to Parliament later this year before taking effect in 2027. The move follows growing pressure from parents and politicians, with the UK government noting that nine in ten parents support a legal requirement for a minimum age of access. However, the approach mirrors Australia’s recent implementation of a similar ban, where early research indicated that a significant majority of 14- to 15-year-olds were circumventing age limits, prompting investigations into platform non-compliance.
