The UK government has announced plans to introduce an overnight social media curfew for older teenagers, a move that would restrict access to platforms such as Instagram and TikTok during late-night hours.
However, the proposal includes a significant loophole: teens will be able to opt out of the restrictions by adjusting their account settings, a feature that has drawn sharp criticism from campaigners who describe the approach as piecemeal.
The announcement signals a continued effort by Westminster to regulate digital exposure for minors, following earlier debates on age verification and screen-time limits.
While the government frames the curfew as a protective measure against sleep disruption and online harms, the opt-out mechanism undermines the mandatory nature of the policy, leaving enforcement largely in the hands of users and platform compliance teams.
The proposal has sparked discussion beyond the UK, with German media outlets calling on Berlin to follow London’s lead in restricting social media access for children under 16.
A commentary in Handelsblatt argued that the British government’s assessment of digital risks warrants similar scrutiny in Germany, suggesting that cross-border regulatory alignment may accelerate as European nations grapple with youth mental health and online safety.