The UK government is considering making safety features on social media platforms for teenagers mandatory, following concerns that these protections may be disabled by users. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson indicated that the current voluntary nature of social media curfews for young people might be revised if evidence shows teenagers are turning off built-in safeguards.

This development comes in the wake of new regulations aimed at restricting social media access for adolescents. Under the plan, recently announced by Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, individuals aged 16 and 17 will be defaulted to a curfew preventing access to social media sites between midnight and 6 a.m. The policy complements a previously announced ban on social media use by children under 16, introduced by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer last month.

In addition to the time-based restrictions, the government’s proposals require social media companies to disable features considered addictive, such as auto-scrolling and algorithmically curated feeds. These measures are intended to protect young users from harmful content and mitigate potential risks associated with excessive use.

Despite the government's intentions, the proposals have drawn criticism from some industry experts and advocates who question the effectiveness of voluntary safety settings. Critics argue that since teenagers currently have the option to disable such features, the safeguards may not achieve their intended impact. Ministers, however, have defended the approach, emphasizing the importance of balancing user autonomy with protective measures designed to enhance online safety.

As discussions continue, the government has signaled a willingness to adjust the regulations to ensure that safety features remain enabled for younger users if voluntary compliance proves insufficient. The proposed changes reflect ongoing efforts to address concerns about the impact of social media on adolescent mental health and well-being.