Hundreds of UK teenagers will participate in a six-week government pilot testing social media curbs, including digital curfews and time limits on apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. The trial involves three groups: one with app access blocked, another with overnight restrictions, and a control group with no limits. Led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the study aims to evaluate real-world effects on anxiety, sleep quality, family time, and school attendance.
Funded by the Wellcome Trust and co-led by Prof Amy Orben of the University of Cambridge and the Bradford Institute for Health Research, the project will analyze data from 4,000 students aged 12-15 across 10 secondary schools in Bradford. The findings will inform potential national policies, including a possible under-16s social media ban.
Pressure is mounting globally, with Australia, France, Spain, and Indonesia considering similar bans. The European Parliament recently passed a non-binding resolution calling for age-based restrictions. Critics argue that parental responsibility should not replace corporate accountability.
Bereaved parents and child welfare advocates urge immediate legislative action, warning that current efforts are insufficient. The NSPCC demands stronger legal enforcement against tech platforms for enabling harmful content and addictive design.