Midnight social media curfew proposed for UK teens aged 16 and 17

A midnight curfew on social media use for 16 and 17-year-olds is among the measures being considered by the government as part of a renewed push to protect teenagers from what ministers describe as the "uncontrolled experiment" of smartphone-based childhood.

The proposal, which has emerged from the government's ongoing review of children's digital safety, would require social media platforms to restrict access for users aged 16 and 17 between midnight and 6am unless a parent or guardian has explicitly opted out. The restriction would be enforced through age verification systems that platforms would be required to implement.

The curfew idea has divided opinion sharply. Supporters argue that it addresses the most harmful period of social media use — the late-night scrolling that disrupts sleep and has been linked to increased rates of anxiety and depression in teenagers. Critics argue that it is unenforceable in practice, that teenagers will simply find ways around it, and that it represents an overreach by the state into family life.

The proposal sits within a broader package of measures under consideration, including a ban on algorithmically curated feeds for users under 16, mandatory age verification across all social media platforms, and a requirement that platforms publish regular transparency reports on the content they recommend to younger users.

The government has said it will consult on the proposals before bringing forward legislation. The technology secretary described the current situation as "a generation-defining failure of regulation" and said the government was determined to act. The social media companies have indicated they will engage with the consultation but have warned that some of the proposals may be technically impractical to implement.