UK Government Moves to Limit Teen Social Media Use After Midnight

The UK government has announced plans to introduce a default overnight social media curfew for teenagers aged 16 and 17 as part of new online safety measures.

Under the proposed rules, affected users would be restricted from accessing social media platforms between midnight and 6 a.m. unless they change their account settings.

Platforms would also be required to disable features designed to encourage prolonged scrolling by default.

Technology Minister Liz Kendall said the measures would help young people get enough sleep, concentrate on education, and spend more time with family and friends.

Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan said social media companies would be legally required to enforce the restrictions and strengthen age verification systems, warning that companies that fail to comply could face serious penalties.

The move follows growing concerns from parents and policymakers worldwide about the impact of social media on young people’s mental and physical wellbeing.

Major platforms, including Meta, TikTok and YouTube, had not immediately commented on the plans.

The government said the first regulations would be presented to Parliament by the end of the year, with implementation expected in spring 2027.

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