The UK government has announced a proposed overnight social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds, which they can opt out of. The plans also include disabling "addictive" features and follow a previous ban for under-16s.

The UK government has proposed an overnight social media curfew for older teenagers, specifically 16 and 17-year-olds, though they will have the option to opt out by adjusting their account settings. This measure would default apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to be unavailable between midnight and 06:00. The government also seeks to disable features such as auto-play and infinite scroll by default, stating these combined measures will improve teenagers' focus, sleep quality, and family life.

Details of Proposed Measures

The proposed curfew would make social media applications unavailable by default for 16 and 17-year-olds during the hours of midnight and 06:00. Users would retain the ability to override this by changing their account settings. Additionally, the government aims for "addictive" features like auto-play and infinite scroll to be disabled by default. Further measures are planned to help children use AI chatbots safely, including requiring providers to introduce regular breaks for under-18s.

Government Rationale and Trial Findings

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated these measures are crucial for helping young people achieve necessary sleep, focus on education, and spend quality time with family and friends, which are fundamental for a healthy adult life. The government conducted trials across the UK, involving 300 teens, which included overnight curfews. A report published on Tuesday cited these curfew trials as showing the most benefits for sleep, more engaging family evenings, and a more manageable setup for parents, also being the most enforceable option.

Criticisms and Concerns

Critics have labeled the proposals as "piecemeal" and a "missed opportunity" for children's safety. Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott called the plans a "dog's dinner," arguing that curfews easily switched off will not achieve anything. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, described the move as another piecemeal set of announcements rather than a comprehensive plan. Prof Sonia Livingstone, an expert in children's digital rights, raised concerns that a curfew could potentially harm vulnerable children by limiting their access to support when most needed. Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, emphasized listening to young people who desire protection from addictive scrolling but not a ban.

Implementation and International Comparison

The government intends to lay its new proposed measures before Parliament by the end of 2026, with the goal for them to take effect next spring, alongside its social media ban for under-16s. The prime minister's proposals follow Australia's approach of banning social media for under-16s, where restrictions took effect in December, forcing apps to close teen accounts. However, Australia's curbs have been criticized as ineffective, with many teens reportedly still accessing banned sites. Concerns about the feasibility of age checks for under-16s in the UK have also been raised. The government, citing commissioned research, stated on Tuesday that there was little evidence of VPNs being widely used by children to bypass age checks.