Social media curfew tested in the UK for first time, but experts warn it's 'a scattergun approach'

Experts weigh in to determine if this move by the UK Government will be effective

Lawmakers have unveiled new measures targeting social media use among older teenagers, introducing voluntary overnight restrictions designed to curb late-night scrolling. Under the plans announced by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, 16- and 17-year-olds will find their access to social media platforms automatically blocked between midnight and 6am.

The default settings will also disable features widely considered addictive, including infinite scrolling and algorithm-driven content feeds that keep users engaged for extended periods. These measures form part of the Government's broader strategy to protect young people online, building upon last month's announcement of an outright social media ban for under-16s.

The new overnight restrictions remain voluntary. Teenagers will retain the ability to switch off these protective default settings should they choose to do so. However, experts think there could be a few holes in the plan.

Mark Jones, Online Safety Act expert and Criminal Partner from law firm Payne Hicks Beach, told GB News: "The Government's response feels like a scattergun approach. Restricting infinite scrolling overnight is only one small part of a much bigger picture.

"Platforms also rely on push notifications, variable reward systems through likes and shares, and other behavioural design techniques that encourage compulsive use and keep young people coming back.

"If these measures focus on limiting when 16 and 17-year-olds can use social media, rather than requiring platforms to fundamentally change the way they design and promote content, they're treating the symptoms rather than the cause. Restrictions often encourage workarounds, whether that's VPNs, alternate accounts, or other creative ways of bypassing them.

"The real issue is platform accountability. Unless the Government addresses the other addictive design features and the harmful content these algorithms continue to amplify, these reforms fall short of being a meaningful overhaul of online safety."

On the other hand, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has defended the differentiated approach for older teenagers.

She told the Press Association: "Sixteen-year-olds are able to work, they're moving into adulthood, and therefore supporting them with that transition from not accessing social media into a world where they will be able to access social media is an important one."

However, she left the door open to tougher action should the voluntary system prove ineffective.

"Every element of what we're setting out will need to continue to be reviewed in line with the evidence," Ms Phillipson stated, adding that the Government must keep pace with rapidly evolving technology.

Ministers have pointed to evidence suggesting the voluntary approach will prove effective in practice.

Recent Government trials involving more than 300 teenagers and their parents across the country found that overnight restrictions led to better sleep patterns and improved concentration levels.

Officials have also cited data indicating that nine in ten young people would not disable the protective default settings when given the option.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology also released findings from the pilot scheme, which showed families reporting tangible benefits from the curfew arrangements.

Online safety minister Kanishka Narayan expressed confidence in the measures, telling Times Radio they would make Britain "the safest place for young people in their experiences online".

NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood acknowledged the measures would improve young people's online experiences to some degree.

"But the proposals will not be enough on their own," he warned. "Unless they're followed up with further, stronger measures they will be a sticking plaster that fails to address the addictive design features which are driving high screentime and undermining children's wellbeing."

Although the voluntary restrictions also don't seem to address the root issue.

"The biggest challenge I see is that it doesn't address why some teenagers struggle to switch off in the first place. Many young people use social media to manage boredom, loneliness, anxiety, fear of missing out, and many, in fact use it as their prime communication source to contact their friends. So, unless those underlying emotional needs and practicalities (such as finding them a new or alternative way to speak to their friends) are acknowledged or recognised, many young people will simply find a way around.

"The long-term goal shouldn't simply be reducing screen time, it should be helping young people develop the confidence, self-awareness and emotional resilience to make healthy choices independently."

And during the initial trial and social media ban proposal, the teenagers potentially affected expressed their own hesitations.

A 15-year-old student told SimpleStudy, "As a teenager navigating the digital landscape, the proposed social media ban for under-16s raises a lot of concerns. We’re all connected online; social media is how we as teenagers stay in touch, a ban could serve these vital connections, impacting friendships and creating isolation.

"Academically, social media can be a distraction, but it also offers educational resources. More importantly, the pressure to maintain an online persona can affect your well-being. I’ve been trying to grow a platform, but recently I’ve been posting about studying as I am a junior cert student. I am trying to build a community where people can speak freely and be themselves, not only on my platform but on others, too. This ban threatens that space, and it worries me and others."