The UK government has proposed introducing a social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, restricting access between midnight and 6:00 a.m.
Under the proposal, all social media platforms would automatically become unavailable during those hours. However, users would be able to disable the restriction by changing their account settings.
The government also wants features such as autoplay and infinite scrolling to be turned off by default in an effort to improve teenagers’ sleep, academic performance, and family life.
However, experts and child safety advocates have expressed concerns that the measures may have limited effectiveness because users can easily switch off the restrictions.
It is worth mentioning that in the UK, children under the age of 16 will be banned from using social media. This new development was announced by Keir Starmer earlier.
He said that such social media platforms are making youngsters unhappy.
The change was welcomed by the charities for some children. This development might also lead to a major fight with big US tech giants.
Some people are also arguing that one way or another teenagers will access these social media sisters and it will make them more unsafe for them.
In the coming weeks it is very likely that Starmer will be facing a leadership challenge. Starmer on the ban said that the social media sites were filled with content that is dangerous for children and was intentionally designed to be addictive.
The social media ban will not include messaging services such as WhatsApp. However, it will include apps like TikTok, SnapChat, Instagram, YouTube, X and Facebook.
The response given by young people was mixed.
Connie Skit who is a 19 years old living in Buxton, Central England said that he thinks it’s a good thing. He further said he does not remember the age at which he got an Instagram account but he does think it was too early.
He explained that we made friends with people we did not know and that is not safe.
Tom Warvel, an 18-year-old tour guide on the other hand had different opinions. He argued that the new rule should focus on younger teenagers and the limit Under 16 was a bit high.
He explained that it is very important for people to use social media in this day and age.
The upcoming ban according to Starmer was influenced by Australia. Australia in December became the first nation to ban the people under 16 from social media.
Also read: Under-15s face social media ban in Turkiye
