The UK is set to introduce a social media curfew for teenagers aged 16 and 17, requiring platforms to default-block access between midnight and 6am. This move follows stricter measures aimed at younger users under the age of 16, who will face complete bans on such services from spring 2027.
Ministers also intend to curb 'addictive' features like auto-playing videos and personalised feeds for older teens, although these can be switched off. The new regulations are part of a broader set of social media rules that will come into effect later this year, with the ultimate goal of helping young people focus on sleep, school and family time.
Meanwhile, tech giants could face stricter oversight, particularly regarding AI chatbots that imitate romantic conversations or provide unverified mental health advice. The UK is also looking to improve media literacy in schools by updating curricula to cover topics like AI bias and disinformation.
Despite the push for these restrictions, concerns remain about their effectiveness and potential impact on young people's rights to information and free speech. Only time will tell how well these measures will be enforced or if they'll make a significant difference in protecting teens online.
