UK Parenting Experts Offer 5 Strategies as Social Media Curfew Targets 16- and 17-Year-Olds
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 15
UK Parenting Experts Offer 5 Strategies as Social Media Curfew Targets 16- and 17-Year-Olds
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 15
Summary
Five expert-backed tactics urge parents to manage children's screen use with gradual changes, shared rules and calmer conversations rather than sudden bans.
The advice follows UK plans for an overnight social media curfew that would default-block Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for 16- and 17-year-olds, while allowing them to opt out.
Experts also recommend turning screen time into digital-literacy lessons, including discussing how apps use auto-play, infinite scroll and other features to hold attention.
Parents are urged to model healthier phone habits themselves and treat boredom as useful, while avoiding panic over "social media addiction" and recognizing that teens' brains can adapt.