UK to Implement Social Media Curfew for 16- and 17-Year-Olds

A new regulatory framework aimed at protecting young users will impose additional limits on popular social‑media platforms. The measures, which can be disabled by app developers, target features that are deemed “addictive” and will be enforced alongside a blanket prohibition on children under 16 accessing services such as TikTok and YouTube.

Under the proposed rules, app operators must remove or modify functionalities that encourage prolonged engagement, such as infinite scrolling, auto‑play videos, and algorithm‑driven content feeds. The ban on minors will be enforced through age‑verification protocols and will prevent any account creation or content consumption by users below the 16‑year threshold. The policy is designed to reduce screen time and mitigate exposure to potentially harmful content among younger audiences.

If adopted, the restrictions could reshape the way social‑media companies design and market their products to younger demographics. The new rules will require compliance checks and could prompt developers to rethink engagement strategies, while parents and educators may welcome stronger safeguards for children’s online experiences.