UK to Implement Social Media Curfews & Ban on Addictive Features for 16 & 17-Year-Olds

The UK government has fired another warning shot at major social media giants, and this time older teenagers in its sights. The new online safety measures announced today will automatically limit some of social media’s most addictive features and introduces overnight curfews for 16 and 17-year-olds, while ministers are already preparing another wave of restrictions focused on AI chatbots.

UK tightens social media rules for older teenagers

Under the new proposals, social media platforms will be required to enable overnight curfews by default for users aged 16 and 17. From midnight until 6 a.m., those protections will automatically kick in, although teenagers will still be able to change the settings if they choose.

The government also wants platforms to disable several engagement-driven features by default. That includes autoplaying videos and endlessly personalized recommendation feeds, both of which are designed to keep users scrolling for longer. Officials say the goal is to reduce compulsive usage without completely removing older teenagers’ ability to manage their own accounts.

The announcement follows the UK’s previously confirmed plan to ban under-16s from social media services beginning in spring 2027. Rather than allowing protections to disappear the moment teenagers turn 16, ministers say these safeguards create a gradual transition into adulthood.

AI chatbots are next on the government’s list

Speaking of future rules, the government is also outlining new protections for AI services used by children. Officials are considering mandatory breaks for users under 18 and are reviewing whether AI chatbots that provide dangerous, misleading, or unverified mental health advice should face outright restrictions or bans. Not to forget, the government is also reportedly considering social media ban for kids under 16.

The proposals were shaped by a government pilot involving more than 300 teenagers and parents, with many participants reporting better sleep and improved concentration after using overnight curfews.

The first social media regulations are expected to be introduced in Parliament before the end of this year, with enforcement planned for spring 2027. Meanwhile, schools across the UK will begin expanding media literacy lessons from September, teaching students about AI, misinformation, online manipulation, and digital safety before broader curriculum changes arrive in 2028.