The UK government has announced plans for an overnight social media curfew for teenagers aged 16 and 17. Under the proposed measures, popular platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube would be unavailable by default between midnight and 06:00.

These proposals aim to address concerns about the impact of social media on young people's well-being, including their sleep quality, focus on education, and family life. The government stated that addictive features like auto-play and infinite scroll would also be disabled by default for this age group.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the importance of these measures for "building a happy, healthy and fulfilling adult life," adding that the government wants young people to "enjoy the benefits of technology while having the tools to make the online world a place where they can thrive."

The government intends to present these proposals to parliament by the end of 2026, with the aim of implementation in spring next year, coinciding with an existing ban for under-16s. However, the curfew would allow users to opt out by adjusting their account settings.

Critics have raised doubts about the effectiveness of the proposed curfew. Laura Trott, the Conservative shadow education secretary, described the plans as "a dog's dinner," arguing that "curfews they can simply switch off won't achieve anything." This sentiment was echoed by child safety advocates.

Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, called the announcements "piecemeal" and "not the comprehensive plan for children's safety that's required." He suggested that incoming leadership would inherit "a series of missed opportunities."

Professor Sonia Livingstone, an expert in children's digital rights at the London School of Economics, raised concerns that a curfew could negatively impact vulnerable children by limiting their access to support networks during the night. She differentiated between disabling push notifications and restricting access to help-seeking resources.

Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England, acknowledged that young people do not want a complete ban but desire protection from addictive features. She stated a need for clarity on the delivery and effectiveness of such policies, including the proposed curfew.