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UK EXTENDS SOCIAL MEDIA CURBS TO OLDER TEENS

INDUSTRY DESK1 MIN READ
WED, JUL 15, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 1 SOURCE ▸ TIMELINE

The UK government is expanding its proposed social media restrictions to include older teenagers, imposing midnight curfews on certain apps and limiting addictive features.

The new measures target older British teens with restrictions previously focused on younger children. Under the proposals, access to social media platforms would be blocked from midnight, while addictive features such as infinite scroll and algorithmic recommendations face limitations. The expansion signals the government's intensifying approach to regulating social media use among young people. Officials cite concerns over mental health impacts and screen dependency. The scope now covers a broader age range than initially proposed, reflecting growing pressure from parents and health advocates. Tech companies will face compliance requirements for enforcing the curfews and feature restrictions. Details on implementation, enforcement mechanisms, and which platforms qualify for the restrictions remain under development. The government has not yet announced a timeline for the measures to take effect.

■ SOURCES

Bloomberg Tech

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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