Proposal for a social media curfew for older teenagers in the UK

      The UK government has suggested implementing a social media curfew starting at midnight for those aged 16 and 17, alongside restrictions on endless scrolling. This curfew would be activated by default, albeit teenagers would have the option to deactivate it.

      On Wednesday, as reported by CNBC, the government detailed these measures, aiming to safeguard older adolescents amid increasing scrutiny of technology companies. According to the proposal, individuals aged 16 and 17 would automatically experience a nightly curfew from midnight to 6 am, with addictive features like infinite scrolling and autoplay being switched off automatically. However, teens could reactivate these settings if they choose to.

      Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated that the initiative reflects a clear request from both parents and teenagers. "Even as young people start to gain more independence at age 16, they still need protection from the most addictive online features that can negatively affect their well-being," she remarked.

      Kendall also mentioned that these measures would lead to improved sleep, enhanced focus on education, and increased time spent with family and friends for young people. The government plans to present the initial regulations to Parliament by the end of this year, anticipating their implementation by spring 2027.

      What the trial revealed

      This proposal is based on a government trial concerning social media limitations that involved over 300 teenagers and parents across the UK and lasted for a month.

      The trial tested three different interventions: one limited app usage to 15 minutes daily, another imposed a nighttime curfew from 9 pm to 7 am, and the last completely removed certain apps. Participants reported various mental health benefits, including improved mood, decreased stress, and increased daytime energy. However, teens also expressed a “social and emotional trade-off,” as social media plays a vital role in their communication with friends.

      As a result, the overnight curfew emerged as the most preferred choice. The government indicated that this option strikes a balance between health benefits and the social requirements of teens.

      New regulations for AI chatbots

      Kendall also plans to introduce a separate package concerning AI chatbots, incorporating mandatory breaks for users under 18. The government aims to focus on chatbots that offer harmful, misleading, or unverified mental health advice. It mentioned that all options will be considered, including a potential ban on chatbots that significantly jeopardize child safety. These proposals come amid earlier indications that regulations may extend to gaming and AI as well.

      Part of a broader initiative

      The proposal aligns with a wider UK effort. In June, the former Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared a comprehensive social media ban for those under 16. The government asserts that the new curfew will prevent a sudden transition for these adolescents as they mature.

      This ban follows Australia, which became the first nation to impose a legal prohibition in December. The UK restrictions would apply to platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X.

      Industry and EU response

      Similar actions are being observed in other governments. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Monday that the EU would continue to pursue age restrictions on social media, considering an age limit for platforms. She emphasized that "social media is not a toy," adding, "parents should raise our children, not algorithms that prey on them." The EU has also stated that infinite scrolling and autoplay violate its regulations.

      Platforms have defended their current safety measures. Ali Law, TikTok’s director of public policy in Northern Europe, informed CNBC that the app was developed with user safety in mind, featuring over 50 preset safety settings for users under 16, including a one-hour screen time limit and a prompt for a break at 10 pm.

      "All of these features are designed to help users maintain a balanced and healthy interaction with our app," Law stated on “Squawk Box Europe,” noting that TikTok invested $2 billion in trust and safety last year and has settled a social media addiction lawsuit.