Proposed social media curfew in the UK for older teenagers.

      The UK government has introduced a proposed midnight curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds on social media, along with restrictions on features like infinite scrolling. This social media curfew would be enabled by default, but teenagers would have the option to disable it.

      The government outlined these measures on Wednesday, according to an initial report by CNBC. The initiative aims to safeguard older teens amid increasing scrutiny of technology companies.

      As per the proposal, a default overnight curfew would restrict access for 16 and 17-year-olds from midnight to 6 a.m. Features that promote addiction, such as infinite scrolling and autoplay, would automatically deactivate. However, teens could reactivate these settings if they choose, according to government officials.

      Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized that the plan was a response to clear feedback from both parents and teenagers. She remarked, “Even as young individuals gain more independence at 16, they still need protection from the most addictive online features that can negatively affect their wellbeing.”

      Kendall noted that the initiative would enable young people to achieve better sleep, concentrate on their education, and enhance quality time with family and friends. The initial regulations are expected to be presented to Parliament by the end of this year, with the government aiming for these changes to be implemented by spring 2027.

      Findings from the trial

      This proposal follows a government pilot study regarding social media limitations involving over 300 teens and parents across the UK, which lasted for a month.

      The teens explored three different interventions: one limited app usage to 15 minutes per day, another imposed a curfew from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and the third removed specific apps entirely.

      According to the government, participants reported various mental health improvements, including enhanced mood, lower stress levels, and increased daytime energy. However, teens also acknowledged a “social and emotional trade-off,” as social media plays a vital role in their communication with friends.

      Consequently, the overnight curfew emerged as the most popular choice, as the government asserted it balanced health benefits with the social requirements of teens.

      New regulations for AI chatbots

      Kendall also plans to introduce a separate set of regulations concerning AI chatbots, which would entail regular breaks for users under 18.

      The government aims to address chatbots that provide harmful, misleading, or unverified mental health information. Ministers will consider all options, including banning those chatbots that present a serious risk to children. This initiative reflects prior indications that regulations could extend to gaming and AI technologies.

      Part of a broader initiative

      This proposal is part of a larger effort in the UK. In June, outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a comprehensive social media ban for individuals under 16. The government suggests that the new curfew would prevent a significant transitional gap as these teens mature.

      This follows Australia’s lead, which became the first country to implement a legal ban in December. The UK ban would affect platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X.

      Industry response and the EU

      Other governments are also moving in a similar direction. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Monday that the EU would continue to pursue age restrictions on social media, exploring age limits for platforms. She remarked, “Social media is not a toy,” highlighting that “parents raise our children, not predatory algorithms.” The EU has also indicated that infinite scrolling and autoplay contravene its regulations.

      Platforms have defended their existing protections. Ali Law, TikTok’s director of public policy for Northern Europe, told CNBC that the app was designed with safety as a priority. He mentioned that TikTok offers over 50 preset safety settings for users under 16, including a one-hour screen time limit and prompts for a break at 10 p.m.

      “All of these are small default features aimed at ensuring users maintain a balanced and healthy relationship with our app,” Law expressed on “Squawk Box Europe.” He added that TikTok invested $2 billion in trust and safety last year and has resolved a case related to social media addiction.