The UK government has announced plans to introduce an overnight social media curfew for children aged 16 and 17 as part of its broader efforts to improve online safety and protect young people.
The move follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement last month of a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, signalling a tougher approach to regulating young people’s access to digital platforms.
The proposed curfew is aimed at limiting overnight social media use among older teenagers, with ministers arguing that excessive screen time and late-night online activity can negatively affect mental health, sleep and overall well-being.
The government is expected to work with social media companies to implement the new measures, although details of how the curfew will be enforced are yet to be announced.
The proposals form part of the UK’s wider strategy to strengthen online safety protections for children and teenagers, amid growing concerns over the impact of social media on young people’s health and development.
