UK plans default overnight social media restrictions for teenagers

The UK plans to introduce default overnight social media restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds. Under the proposal, platforms would be expected to switch on restrictions by default from midnight to 6 a.m. Teenagers would still be able to change the settings, but the protections would apply automatically.

Autoplay and continuously personalised content feeds would also be disabled by default. Ministers say these features can encourage longer use and contribute to unhealthy patterns of engagement.

The measures are intended to keep some protections in place after children turn 16. They would complement separate plans to stop social media services being offered to children under 16 from spring 2027.

The proposals follow a pilot involving more than 300 teenagers and parents across the UK. Participating families said the overnight restrictions helped with routines, sleep and concentration.

The package also includes planned protections for children using AI chatbots. These could include regular break reminders for users under 18 and action against services that provide dangerous or unverified mental health advice.

Further chatbot restrictions, including possible bans on services considered to pose serious risks to children, will be considered with regulators and other departments.

Media literacy will also be strengthened in schools. Lessons will cover AI, chatbots, misinformation and harmful online content, with wider media literacy content planned for the National Curriculum from September 2028.

The first regulations linked to the under-16 social media restrictions are expected to be presented to Parliament by the end of 2026, with implementation planned for spring 2027.