The proposed measure, announced by the government on Tuesday, will automatically restrict access to social media apps between midnight and 6 a.m. for affected users, although teenagers will be able to disable the setting if they choose. Features designed to encourage prolonged scrolling will also be turned off by default.

The announcement comes a month after the government unveiled plans to ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms.

Technology Minister Liz Kendall said the new measures are intended to improve teenagers’ wellbeing by encouraging healthier online habits.

“These measures will be crucial in helping young people get the sleep they need, focus on school and college, and spend more quality time with family and friends,” she said.

Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan said technology companies would be legally required to implement the default curfew.

“We’re forcing the tech companies to do it,” Narayan told LBC Radio, adding that platforms would also be expected to strengthen age verification systems or face severe regulatory penalties.

Meta, TikTok owner ByteDance and Google, which owns YouTube, did not immediately comment on the proposed measures.

The restrictions reflect growing concerns among governments worldwide about the impact of excessive social media use on young people’s mental and physical health.

The first set of regulations will be presented to Parliament before the end of the year, with implementation expected in spring 2027.

The proposals have already attracted criticism from the opposition Conservative Party, which questioned the effectiveness of a curfew that teenagers can disable themselves.

The announcement comes as several countries consider stricter online safety measures for minors. Australia, the first country to approve a nationwide social media ban for children, has encountered implementation challenges after advisers found that age verification systems remain difficult to enforce.

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Speaking at the ICE Barcelona trade show, Tim Miller, the Commission’s executive director, said that many users would likely have seen ads for online gambling sites that do not participate in the UK’s “GamStop” self-exclusion scheme.

“If we can find them, so can Meta,” Miller said, highlighting that the company’s own searchable ad library clearly shows which advertisers claim to be “Not on GamStop.” He described Meta’s claim of ignorance about such ads as “simply false,” adding that the company has made very limited progress in addressing the issue.

The regulator’s warning
Miller warned that Meta’s inaction gives the impression it is willing to “turn a blind eye and continue taking money from criminals and scammers until someone shouts about it.” He stressed that the tech giant could easily prevent such ads using its existing keyword tools.

The statement reflects growing scrutiny of social media platforms and their responsibility for policing advertisements that may facilitate illegal or unregulated activity.

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