UK proposes voluntary overnight social media curfew for older teens
Summary
The UK government has proposed a voluntary overnight social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, blocking access from midnight to 6 a.m. by default on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The plan also aims to turn off features like autoplay and infinite scroll to help teens sleep and focus better, but users can choose to disable these limits.Key Facts
- The curfew would apply automatically but can be turned off by 16- and 17-year-olds.
- The ban would last six hours, from midnight to 6 a.m., on major social media platforms.
- Features that encourage continuous watching, like autoplay and infinite scrolling, would be off by default.
- A stricter ban on social media use for children under 16 is planned to start in 2027.
- The UK government views this as a gradual way to help teens move safely toward adulthood.
- Some politicians and child safety groups worry the voluntary system won't work well.
- The policy still needs official approval and will likely be implemented by the next prime minister.
- Australia has already banned social media use for under-16s since December 2023, setting a global example.
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