UK digital curfew for teenagers aged 16-17 targets late-night smartphone use

The United Kingdom is preparing an unprecedented measure intended to make 16- and 17-year-olds put down their smartphones overnight, a move that could inspire neighbouring European countries.

The UK is continuing to tighten its rules on social media use by younger people. Following last month’s announcement of a ban for under-16s, the British government is now targeting 16- and 17-year-olds through a new proposal led by Science, Innovation and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall: a digital curfew.

A digital curfew for UK teenagers aged 16-17

In practical terms, certain applications would be blocked by default from midnight until 6 am. Although teenagers would still be able to switch off the restriction in a few clicks, the setting is chiefly intended to encourage them to disconnect at night. The proposal does not stop there. The legislation, which is due to be introduced in Parliament before the end of the year, also targets features that encourage prolonged screen use: autoplay videos and personalised feeds would also be disabled by default for this age group.

The aim is to prevent an abrupt transition from a total ban before the age of 16 to unrestricted access immediately afterwards.

Research supporting the proposal

The decision to pursue this approach follows a government-commissioned study comparing three forms of restriction: a daily limit of 15 minutes, a night-time curfew running from 9 pm to 7 am, and the outright removal of applications.

The curfew proved to be the easiest option to maintain over time and, above all, the most effective for sleep. The young people involved went to bed earlier, felt better rested, and were better able to concentrate in lessons and while revising. Some said they experienced less day-to-day stress, with beneficial effects building up over the weeks. In the households taking part in the trial, mealtimes and family time also regained a meaningful place.

However, the experience was not entirely positive. Several teenagers felt cut off from their friends, particularly on apps such as Snapchat, where communication is almost constant. The first few days could be difficult, sometimes bringing irritability and mood swings. Some parents even likened this adjustment period to withdrawal.

Social media restrictions gain momentum worldwide

Despite those challenges, the UK government believes the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. It is not alone in taking this approach: restrictions designed to protect younger users from social media are appearing across the world.

Australia led the way in December 2025 by banning social media for under-16s. TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and X are among the platforms covered, and the companies concerned are required to verify their users’ ages. Businesses that fail to comply could face substantial fines.

The trend is also accelerating in Europe, particularly in France, where a law to ban these platforms for under-15s is being finalised. Denmark, Spain and Germany are considering comparable measures. It remains to be seen whether such restrictions will prove genuinely effective in practice when faced with teenagers used to bypassing barriers, particularly through VPNs.