A recent survey indicates that the majority of teenagers are inclined to disable a forthcoming voluntary nighttime restriction on social media platforms. The restriction, part of new online safety guidelines, will automatically block 16 and 17-year-olds from accessing social media between midnight and 6am.
Despite the proposed curfew, findings from a Censuswide poll show that 84.6% of 16- to 18-year-olds plan to opt-out of the restriction. Many teenagers (45.2%) expressed that they would disable the curfew to communicate with family and friends, while others (37.2%) stated they would do so to continue watching online content.
Interestingly, a significant portion of teenagers (38%) already utilize Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in their daily lives, with 24% intending to use VPNs to bypass the curfew if implemented. VPNs allow users to conceal their location or details, circumventing UK online safety regulations.
The new online safety regulations, introduced by Keir Starmer, aim to implement curfews and restrict addictive design features like infinite scrolling to protect teenagers online. However, these measures are voluntary to maintain a balance between enhancing older teenagers’ online safety and empowering them to manage their settings.
According to Leanne Proctor, regulatory lead at the Online Responsibility Network, the research indicates that relying solely on curfews may not effectively prevent online harms. Proctor suggests focusing on design feature-level protections and robust age verification to ensure age-appropriate online experiences without overly restricting access.
Former Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced that infinite scrolling, autoplay videos, and personalized content feeds will be disabled by default for 16 and 17-year-olds under the new regulations. While some support a social media ban as a solution to online harms, critics warn that blanket bans may not address the underlying issues and could lead teenagers to seek riskier online spaces.
The Government emphasizes that young people will have the freedom to navigate social media as they mature, with 64% of 16- to 21-year-olds supporting nighttime restrictions on certain apps. The aim is to provide default protections while allowing teenagers to make informed decisions about their online activities.
