New Delhi, July 15, 2026

Growing concerns over the impact of excessive social media use on young people's health have prompted the UK government to propose stricter online safety measures. As part of a wider plan to regulate children's digital access, Britain will introduce a default overnight curfew on social media apps for 16- and 17-year-olds while also moving ahead with a broader ban on social media for children under 16.

Under the proposal, affected users will be blocked from accessing social media apps between midnight and 6 a.m. unless they choose to change the default setting. Features designed to encourage prolonged use, including auto-playing videos, will also be switched off by default. The government said the measures are intended to provide a smoother transition for teenagers who gain access to social media at 16 while reducing the effects of late-night scrolling. Technology Minister Liz Kendall said, “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.”

The move reflects increasing global concern among governments and parents about the effect of social media on children's mental and physical wellbeing. A study released on Tuesday found that such restrictions improved sleep, concentration and overall wellbeing, with overnight curfews proving to be the easiest for families to maintain and delivering the most consistent benefits. The first set of regulations is expected to be presented before Parliament by the end of this year, with implementation planned for spring 2027 and backed by what the government described as robust enforcement.

While the UK is preparing to roll out the new rules, similar efforts elsewhere have faced challenges. Experts who advised Australia on its social media ban for children reported difficulties in implementing reliable age-verification systems, affecting the policy's effectiveness. Meanwhile, Google and TikTok recently settled a U.S. lawsuit filed by a minor who alleged that social media platforms had harmed his mental health, underscoring the broader global debate over online safety for young users.