London. The UK Government announced a plan to strengthen the protection of teenagers online that includes the activation, by default, of a nighttime curfew on social media for 16 and 17-year-olds, in addition to the deactivation of features considered addictive, such as the automatic playback of videos.
The measure is part of a broader strategy promoted by the Ministry of Technology, which also plans to ban access to social media for those under 16 years of age.
According to the proposal, platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram will limit access for teenagers between midnight and 6:00 a.m., with the goal of promoting better sleep habits, academic performance, and greater interaction with family and friends.
However, the authorities specified that the curfew can be deactivated by the user themselves, an aspect that has generated criticism from some sectors, who consider that the measure could have a limited impact.
As part of the same plan, the British Government is studying new restrictions to protect minors in the use of artificial intelligence tools, including possible limitations on access to certain chatbots that may offer recommendations considered dangerous or unverified information, especially on topics related to mental health.
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The Minister for Technology, Liz Kendall, stated that the proposals seek to offer greater protection to adolescents during the transition to adulthood.
“These measures will be fundamental to help young people get the sleep they need, focus in school or university, and spend more quality time with family and friends,” the official stated.
The British Government plans to present the first package of regulations to Parliament after the summer, with the intention that the new provisions will come into force by mid-2027.
