The British government has announced plans to implement a six-hour social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, set to begin at midnight. This proposed measure, aimed at reducing online harm for young people, will be a voluntary default setting that users can override. Additionally, features designed to prolong engagement, such as auto-playing videos, will be deactivated by default for this age group.
These proposals follow closely on the heels of a previously announced social media ban for individuals under 16, which is slated to take effect next spring. The upcoming restrictions are expected to encompass major platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X, while excluding messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal.
The measures are part of the current government's legislative agenda and are anticipated to be continued by its successor. Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan defended the proposals, suggesting that it would be a "disservice" to teenagers to assume they would universally disable the curfews. He cited a pilot program involving over 300 teenagers and parents in the UK, which reportedly led to significant reductions in social media usage, improved sleep, and enhanced concentration. Narayan pointed to data from October, where similar default settings on some platforms were maintained by over 90% of teenage participants.
However, the plan has met with criticism. Laura Trott, the education spokesperson for the opposition Conservative Party, argued that the curfews, which can be easily switched off, would be ineffective. "Either they think 16- and 17-year-olds should be on social media or they don’t, but curfews they can simply switch off won’t achieve anything," she stated.
Children's charities have offered a more nuanced perspective. The NSPCC, a leading children's charity in the UK, acknowledged that the proposals could contribute to improving young people's online experiences but cautioned that they might be insufficient on their own. NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood warned that without stronger measures addressing addictive design features, these curfews could serve as a temporary fix that fails to tackle the root causes of high screen time and its impact on children's well-being.
Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, described the move as a "positive step," recognizing that young people often want to reduce their social media use but struggle to do so. She emphasized the need for close monitoring to ensure the policies' effectiveness.