No more scrolling after midnight: British government proposes curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds

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The British government wants to introduce a nighttime social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds. Apps such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube would be unavailable by default between midnight and 6:00 a.m., although users could disable that setting themselves.

In addition to this digital curfew, London also wants to disable so-called addictive features, such as autoplay and endless scrolling, by default. According to the government, these measures together should help young people sleep better, concentrate better in school, and spend more time with family and friends.

The proposals follow an earlier plan to completely ban social media for young people under the age of 16. That measure was announced in June and is set to take effect in the spring of 2027. The United Kingdom is thus taking a new step in its online safety policy, but the accumulation of rules is also causing confusion about exactly what applies to whom. Critics also believe the plans do not go far enough. Ellen Roome, who believes her 14-year-old son died in 2022 as a result of an online challenge that got out of hand, told the BBC that the measure is inadequate because teenagers can simply turn the settings off again. Baroness Kidron, on the other hand, argued that the goal is not to keep children away from technology, but to keep technology away from harmful content.

Child rights experts have also raised concerns. Prof. Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics warned on BBC News that a curfew might be useful in reducing late-night reports, but could be harmful if it prevents young people from seeking support when they need it most. British Children’s Commissioner Rachel de Souza, on the other hand, says that young people don’t want a ban, but they do want protection from endless scrolling. The government says it is also working to ensure the safe use of AI chatbots by minors, including through mandatory breaks. According to Technology Minister Kanishka Narayan, this approach will make the United Kingdom “one of the strictest countries in the world” in terms of tech regulation. At the same time, London is refusing for now to crack down on VPNs, as they also have legitimate uses.

The new rules are set to be presented to Parliament by the end of 2026 and will align with the broader ban for those under 16 that takes effect in 2027.

©Elly Brian via Unsplash