The UK government has announced plans to encourage 16- and 17-year-olds to observe a midnight social media curfew. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to protect young people from the potential harms of excessive social media use, including poor sleep and mental health issues.
The proposed curfew, set to begin in spring 2027, will see certain social media apps automatically blocked from midnight to 6 am. However, this restriction will not be mandatory and can be overridden by users. This move follows the recent announcement of a complete ban on social media for under-16s, which included restrictions on platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
The Government’s Approach to Online Safety
The government has decided not to restrict the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which allow children to bypass age gates by pretending to be in a different country. Research indicates that only 7-10% of children use VPNs specifically to avoid age checks. The government is also cautious about implementing restrictions that could potentially infringe on free speech.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized that the curfew is designed to help young people get the sleep they need, focus on their education, and spend more quality time with family and friends. The government’s public consultation revealed that even as young people gain more independence at 16, both parents and children still desire protections from the most addictive online features.
Criticism and Concerns
Critics, such as the Molly Rose Foundation, argue that the measures are piecemeal and do not constitute a comprehensive plan for children’s safety. Beeban Kidron, founder of the 5Rights Foundation, criticized the default curfew that can be switched off, calling it a move for show rather than a meaningful change.
Campaigners are also calling for increased protections for young people against AI chatbots. However, the government has only announced plans for regular breaks for under-18s using chatbots, aiming to encourage healthier online habits.
Testing and Findings
In May, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) commissioned a study to test three different social media restrictions: rationing to 15 minutes a day, a no-access curfew from 9 pm to 7 am, and complete deletion of social media apps. The study found that curfews were the most manageable restrictions to enforce and provided the strongest benefits to sleep quality.
Participants in the study reported going to bed earlier, feeling more rested, concentrating better in lessons, and experiencing less stress. However, some children felt isolated and disconnected from friendships when cut off from platforms like Snapchat, and some parents likened the initial adjustment to withdrawal.
The government aims to lay its new proposed measures before Parliament by the end of 2026, with the aim of implementing them alongside the social media ban for under-16s next spring. The effectiveness of these measures will be closely monitored to ensure they achieve the desired outcomes for young people’s wellbeing.
