Brits Demand Social Media Lockdown as Nightly Doomscrolling Spirals Out of Control
One in five Brits can’t stop scrolling their phones after midnight, and it’s wreaking havoc on their sleep. This shocking statistic comes from a study of 2,000 UK adults, revealing that 21% are glued to their screens during the workweek, with that number climbing to 26% on weekends.
Younger adults are the worst offenders. A staggering 60% of those aged 18 to 24 admit they can’t stick to their own self-imposed digital curfews. This alarming trend coincides with the UK Government's plans to explore stricter online safety measures for teenagers, including potential social media curfews and restrictions on addictive features for those aged 16 and 17.
But it’s not just teens who are struggling. Over three-quarters of adults—76%—take their phones to bed, and nearly a third, 29%, acknowledge that their devices negatively impact their bedtime routines.
Despite these habits, many adults are desperate for help. More than half, 54%, expressed a desire for technology that would block access to social media during the night. Social media is the biggest culprit for bedtime distractions, with 54% of respondents admitting they scroll late into the night. Watching short-form videos follows closely at 43%, while 40% spend their evenings messaging friends.
Parents are increasingly alarmed about their children’s screen time. Two-thirds, or 66%, worry their kids are online too much, and nearly a quarter, 23%, believe smartphones and connected devices are damaging their child’s sleep. Yet, despite these concerns, over half of parents—55%—know about website-blocking parental controls but have never utilized them.
This research was commissioned by Virgin Media O2 and Akamai. The broadband provider is promoting its Essential Security feature, which allows users to set digital curfews by blocking specific categories of websites, including social media, gambling, and adult content during designated hours.
Nicola Green, Chief Communications and Corporate Affairs Officer at Virgin Media O2, stated that late-night scrolling has become a widespread habit across all age groups. Growing awareness of its negative impact on sleep and overall wellbeing is pushing people to seek healthier online habits.
Dr. Tomasz Hollanek from the University of Cambridge emphasized that digital wellbeing tools should spark discussions about healthy boundaries and screen time. He noted that features like social media curfews aren’t just about limiting access; they create opportunities for parents and children to engage in meaningful conversations about building healthier digital habits together.
More than half of parents admitted they know website-blocking parental controls exist but have never used them.
