More than half of Brits say they’d welcome a social media curfew to stop late-night scrolling, with new research revealing millions are staying up past midnight glued to their phones
Brits are struggling to put their phones down at night(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Brits are struggling to put their phones down at night, with one in five admitting they’re still scrolling after midnight during the working week, according to new research.
The study of 2,000 UK adults found 21% regularly use their phone after midnight from Monday to Friday, rising to 26% at weekends as late-night doomscrolling continues to eat into people’s sleep.
Younger adults are finding it hardest to switch off, with three in five (60%) of 18 to 24-year-olds admitting they struggle to stick to their own self-imposed digital curfew each night. The findings come after the UK Government announced plans to explore tougher online safety measures for teenagers, including new social media curfews and restrictions on addictive platform features for 16 and 17-year-olds.
21% regularly use their phone after midnight (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
But it’s not just teenagers who are struggling to disconnect.
More than three-quarters (76%) of adults said they take their mobile phone to bed with them, while 29% admitted their device has a negative impact on their bedtime routine.
Despite their scrolling habits, many appear keen for a helping hand. More than half (54%) of those surveyed said they would welcome technology that stops them accessing social media during the night.
Social media was the biggest bedtime distraction, with 54% saying they enjoy a late-night scroll before trying to sleep. Watching short-form videos or reels came next at 43%, while 40% said they spend the evening messaging friends.
Parents are also becoming increasingly concerned about screen time. Two-thirds (66%) worry their children spend too much time online, while almost a quarter (23%) believe smartphones and connected devices are harming their child’s sleep.
However, despite those concerns, more than half (55%) of parents admitted they know website-blocking parental controls exist but have never used them.
Younger adults are finding it hardest to switch off(Image: Getty Images)
The research was commissioned by Virgin Media O2 and Akamai, with the broadband provider highlighting its Essential Security feature, which allows customers to set digital curfews by blocking categories of websites, including social media, gambling and adult content, during selected hours.
Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “Late-night scrolling has become a common habit for people of all ages, with growing awareness of the impact it can have on sleep and broader wellbeing now prompting people to look at how they can adopt healthier online habits at home.
“Virgin Media’s Essential Security offering equips our customers with simple tools to help them manage their screen time, including setting social media curfews to have greater control of their night-time internet and device usage.”
Dr Tomasz Hollanek, of the University of Cambridge, added: “The real value of digital wellbeing tools lies in prompting conversations about healthy boundaries, screen time, and the role technology should play in everyday life. Features such as social media curfews are not simply about restricting access – they create opportunities for parents and children to discuss, negotiate, and build healthier digital habits together, which is necessary for meaningful change.”
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