The U.K. government has proposed a social media curfew for older teenagers alongside its pending ban for those under 16.
According to the BBC, 16 and 17-year-olds could face apps such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube being unavailable to access by default between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. However, they would be able to opt out of this by changing their settings.
In June, it was announced that the U.K. was moving ahead with a full social media ban for children under 16 years old. The curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds would take effect alongside the ban, which if passed in Parliament, will begin in spring 2027.
The platforms to be banned for under-16s include Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. WhatsApp and Signal will not be part of the ban.
The BBC reports that “addictive” features like auto-play and infinite scrolling would also be disabled, and there will also be measures to help under-18s use AI chatbots safely, including enforced breaks. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said in a statement that, along with the midnight curfew, this measure will be “crucial in helping young people get the sleep they need, focus on school and college, and spend more quality time with family and friends, all of which are fundamental to building a happy, healthy and fulfilling adult life.”
She added: “We want young people to enjoy the benefits of technology while having the tools to make the online world a place where they can thrive.”
The proposed U.K. ban follows similar legislation introduced in Australia, Indonesia and France earlier this year.
