The UK government has unveiled a new proposal to limit teenagers’ use of social media during late-night hours, as part of its broader efforts to improve young people’s mental health, sleep quality and online safety.
The plan includes an overnight curfew for popular platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, along with additional measures designed to reduce excessive screen time among teenagers.
What is the proposed social media curfew?
Under the proposal, social media accounts of 16- and 17-year-olds would automatically be placed under a curfew from midnight to 6 am During these hours, access to platforms like Instagram, TikTok and YouTube would be restricted by default.
However, the curfew would not be compulsory. Teenagers would have the option to disable the restriction by changing their account settings.
The government also wants social media companies to turn off features that encourage prolonged usage, including autoplay videos and infinite scrolling, for teenage users.
Why is the UK introducing these measures?
The proposal comes amid growing concerns over the impact of excessive social media use on teenagers’ sleep, mental well-being and ability to concentrate.
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UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the measures are intended to help young people develop healthier digital habits, improve their sleep, focus better on studies and spend more time with family and friends offline.
According to the government, research involving around 300 teenagers found that limiting overnight access to social media led to noticeable improvements in sleep patterns.
Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan said the proposals are part of the UK’s wider effort to create one of the safest online environments for children and teenagers.
Part of a wider online safety plan
The overnight curfew is one of several digital safety measures currently being considered by the UK government.
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Earlier this year, ministers announced plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing certain social media platforms. The latest proposal is aimed at adding further safeguards for older teenagers.
The government is also exploring stricter age-verification rules for digital services and requiring AI chatbot providers to introduce regular breaks for users under 18.
If approved by Parliament, the proposed measures are expected to be introduced alongside the planned under-16 social media restrictions next year.
First published on: Jul 16, 2026 11:27 AM IST
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