UK Proposes Social Media Curfew for Teenagers Amid Child Safety Push
The UK government is moving forward with proposed online safety measures that would introduce a social media curfew for teenagers aged 16 and 17. The restrictions would include limitations on what regulators describe as "addictive" app features designed to maximize engagement.
These new measures would complement the government's existing proposal to implement a total ban on children under 16 from accessing social media platforms. Under the current framework, younger users would be blocked from services such as TikTok and YouTube, while older teenagers would face more targeted restrictions.
Notably, the proposed restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds can be turned off, suggesting a framework that allows for parental or user override in certain circumstances. The crackdown on addictive features targets design elements that critics argue are specifically engineered to increase time spent on platforms.
The proposals are part of a broader effort to enhance child safety online, though the measures have prompted debate about the balance between protecting minors and maintaining access to digital services that many young people use daily.