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Technology & ScienceWednesday 15 July 2026

The UK is rolling out a bold new initiative encouraging 16- and 17-year-olds to put their phones down between midnight and 6am, with some apps set to automatically block access during those hours as part of the government's latest push to shield young people from online harms.

This midnight curfew represents the Labour government's most concrete step yet in tackling the documented risks of late-night social media useβ€”from sleep disruption to mental health concerns. The move reflects growing recognition that protecting young people online requires not just awareness campaigns, but structural tools that make healthier digital habits easier to maintain. Read the full story β†’

Today's takeaway: Tech companies and regulators are finally moving beyond warnings to implement practical guardrails that help young people protect their own wellbeing.

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