UK to Encourage 16- and 17-Year-Olds to Observe Midnight Social Media Curfew

Labour has announced a new policy that will automatically activate a midnight‑to‑6 am block on selected social‑media apps for 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds, as part of its broader effort to shield young people from online harms. The curfew, set to take effect next spring, is intended to curb night‑time scrolling and the associated sleep disruption that research links to poorer mental and physical health. While the block will be enabled by default, users will be able to override it, meaning the measure is advisory rather than compulsory.

The initiative builds on the under‑16 ban introduced last month, which prohibited minors from accessing platforms such as Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. By extending restrictions to older teenagers, Labour aims to address the growing concern that late‑night digital engagement can interfere with learning, sleep quality and overall wellbeing. The policy will be implemented through app‑level controls, allowing developers to enforce the curfew while still permitting adult users to access the services without restriction.

If adopted, the midnight curfew could set a new precedent for digital regulation in the UK, signalling a shift toward more proactive measures to protect youth online. The government will monitor the policy’s impact and may adjust the approach based on user feedback and health‑related outcomes.