U.K. government proposes social media curfew for older teens
The U.K. government proposes a default midnight-to-6 a.m. social media curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds, alongside its pending ban keeping children under 16 off major platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Teens could opt out of the overnight block by changing their account settings. The plan extends June's under-16 restrictions rather than creating a sudden gap in protections as teenagers age.
Key Takeaways
- 16 and 17-year-olds would face a default overnight curfew on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube from midnight to 6 a.m.
- The curfew would launch alongside the under-16 social media ban, targeted for spring 2027 if Parliament approves the rules.
- Addictive features like auto-play and infinite scroll would also be disabled by default for older teens.
- Under-16s would be banned from Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, but not WhatsApp or Signal.
- The U.K. plan follows similar teen social media legislation introduced in Australia, Indonesia and France this year.
What did the U.K. government propose for older teens?
The U.K. government proposes social media restrictions that extend protections beyond its under-16 ban. For 16 and 17-year-olds, the BBC reports that platforms would block access by default between midnight and 6 a.m. each night.
Teens would not be locked out permanently. They could override the curfew by adjusting their account settings, leaving the overnight block as a default rather than a hard ban.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the midnight curfew 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. She added that the government wants young people to enjoy technology while having tools to thrive online.
Which platforms and features are affected?
The overnight curfew would apply to apps such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for 16 and 17-year-olds. The separate under-16 ban covers Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X.
WhatsApp and Signal are not part of the under-16 ban. The BBC also reports that addictive features like auto-play and infinite scrolling would be disabled by default for older teenagers.
Additional measures would help under-18s use AI chatbots safely, including enforced breaks. For more on how streaming and digital platforms are responding to regulation, see our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
When would the curfew and under-16 ban take effect?
In June, the U.K. announced it was moving ahead with a full social media ban for children under 16. The curfew for 16 and 17-year-olds would take effect alongside that ban.
If passed in Parliament, both measures would begin in spring 2027. The timeline links the two policies so protections do not drop sharply when teenagers turn 16.
The BBC has published full details on the overnight curfew proposal and how families could manage opt-outs. Read the BBC's reporting for the government's latest statements.
How does this fit into global teen social media rules?
The proposed U.K. ban follows similar legislation introduced in Australia, Indonesia and France earlier this year. Those countries have moved to restrict young people's access to social platforms amid growing concern about sleep, focus and mental health.
By pairing a hard under-16 ban with a softer overnight curfew for older teens, the U.K. is testing a layered approach rather than a single age cutoff. Whether teens widely opt out of the default curfew could shape how effective the policy proves in practice.