The UK government is implementing new regulations to restrict social media use for 16- and 17-year-olds, aiming to mitigate the negative impacts of addictive features.

These measures include a default block on platforms during nighttime hours (midnight to 6 AM) and a total ban on children under 16 accessing services like TikTok and YouTube, set to take effect in spring 2027.The policies are part of the Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to verify user ages for content deemed harmful to minors.The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) emphasized that these restrictions will be optional, allowing users to override them.Additionally, the government plans to introduce safeguards against AI-driven mental health advice and enhance media literacy in schools.

Critics argue that age-gating solutions may inadvertently limit access to vital resources like sex education and LGBTQ+ content, while early data from Australia suggests many teens circumvent such bans.The UK aims to replicate Australia's model but faces challenges in enforcement, with potential fines for non-compliant platforms.The measures are intended to promote better sleep, academic focus, and family time for young people, though their effectiveness remains debated.