Liz Kendall said infinite scrolling – where a user’s feed continuously loads – will be switched off for 16 and 17-year-olds group, while overnight curfews from midnight to 6am will be in place
Teenagers aged 16 and 17 will face an automatic block on accessing social media overnight or using addictive design features under a fresh package of online safety measures.
Liz Kendall said infinite scrolling – where a user’s feed continuously loads – will be switched off for the age group, while overnight curfews from midnight to 6am will be in place. Autoplay videos, which are clips that automatically play one after another, and recommender feeds that push a personalised stream of content will also be switched off by default.
But young people will be able to change their settings if they wish, raising questions about the effectiveness of the latest measures. Officials believe the new protections will strike a balance between giving older teenagers greater safeguards online while still allowing them to control their settings.
The package also aims to address concerns of a cliff edge for youngsters when a planned social media ban lifts on their 16th birthday. Keir Starmer and Ms Kendall last month unveiled a social media ban for under 16s, which will come into force Spring 2027. Elsewhere, Ms Kendall also this evening announced plans for children under 18 to take mandatory breaks when using a chatbot.
The Government also pledged to work with regulators to address services that provide dangerous, misleading or unverified mental health advice. Ministers said they will consider all options, including banning chatbots that pose a serious threat to children.
New guidance for children, parents and guardians on how to use AI safely will soon be published on the Kids Online Safety Hub. It follows an announcement that Britain will become the first country in the world to ban chatbots that offer sexualised content to under 18s.
More than 300 teenagers and parents across the UK tested the latest measures in a Government pilot, with families reporting that overnight curfews quickly became part of their routine and helped improve sleep and concentration. Campaigners warned the package was “another piecemeal set of announcements” that failed to properly address the risks facing young people.
Andy Burrows, chief executive of Molly Rose Foundation, said: “While we welcome these measures for older teens, this latest move is yet another piecemeal set of announcements not the comprehensive plan for children’s safety that’s required. Keir Starmer leaves office having announced a social media ban without a plan and without a coherent strategy to address product safety risks across all social media, gaming and messaging apps.
“Andy Burnham inherits a series of missed opportunities and will need to act quickly and decisively to deliver a vision where every child can live a good life online, and parents and children start to feel materially safer.”
Ms Kendall said: “Our consultation provided a clear message from parents and teenagers alike – even as young people gain greater independence at 16, they should still be protected from the most addictive online features that can have a harmful impact on their wellbeing.
“These measures will be crucial in helping young people get the sleep they need, focus on school and college, and spend more quality time with family and friends, all of which are fundamental to building a happy, healthy and fulfilling adult life.
“We want young people to enjoy the benefits of technology while having the tools to make the online world a place where they can thrive.”