The UK government is introducing a midnight social media curfew for teenagers aged 16 and 17, starting in spring 2027, aiming to curb excessive online engagement and promote better sleep and well-being.
Teens will be automatically barred from popular platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat between midnight and 6 a.m., but they can choose to opt out of this restriction.
This measure builds on an earlier total ban for social media users under 16, highlighting a systematic approach to safeguarding young people online.
Critics question the effectiveness of the voluntary aspect, suggesting that the ease of bypassing the curfew undermines its intended impact.
Alongside the curfew, the government plans to disable addictive features like infinite scrolling, aiming to reduce the potential for social media addiction.
This initiative reflects a growing trend across Europe to legislate protections for minors online, as the EU also considers implementing age-based access restrictions to ensure safer digital environments for children.
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