The UK government has unveiled plans to automatically restrict social media access for 16- and 17-year-olds during the night, introducing a default curfew between midnight and 6am as part of a wider drive to improve young people's wellbeing and tighten online safety rules.
Under the proposal announced on Wednesday, teenagers aged 16 and 17 would be blocked by default from accessing platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube during the overnight hours. Social media companies would also be required to switch off features considered addictive, including auto-play and infinite scrolling, unless users choose to change their account settings.
The government says the measures are aimed at helping teenagers develop healthier online habits by improving sleep, boosting concentration in school and college, and allowing more time with family and friends. The restrictions are also expected to pave the way for a broader ban on social media use by children under the age of 16, which is planned for next year.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the changes would help create a safer online environment while allowing young people to continue benefiting from technology.
The restrictions would 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."
"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," she added.
Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan defended the proposals, saying the combination of an overnight curfew and limits on addictive platform features would place Britain at the forefront of online regulation.
He argued that the measures would make Britain "the most robust place in the world when it comes to regulating" technology companies.
The plans have, however, received mixed reactions from campaigners and child safety experts.
Ellen Roome, whose 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney died in what she believes was an online challenge in 2022, said allowing teenagers to turn off the restrictions would reduce their effectiveness.
"I just think it's not good enough really just to have a product you can switch off," she said.
She compared the proposal to "offering a 17-year-old a bottle of alcohol and then moving it slightly out of arm's reach."
Child safety experts welcomed efforts to reduce the impact of addictive online features but cautioned that the proposals may not fully address the risks faced by young people.
Professor Sonia Livingstone of the London School of Economics said a blanket overnight curfew could also prevent vulnerable teenagers from accessing support services during the night when they may need help.
The government plans to present the legislation to Parliament before the end of 2026. If approved, the overnight curfew and the limits on addictive platform features are expected to take effect alongside the planned social media ban for under-16s next spring.
The proposals also include new rules requiring providers of AI chatbots to introduce regular breaks for users under the age of 18 as part of the wider package of online safety reforms.