Hundreds of UK teenagers to trial six-week social media curbs for major study

"During the test, a proportion of 300 teens across all four nations of the UK will have their social apps disabled, mimicking the enforcement of a social media ban at home."

"The pilots will last six weeks and test how different restrictions affect young people's day-to-day lives."

"An independent study will become the world's first major scientific trial of the impact of reducing social media use among adolescents."

"Ministers have come under increasing pressure to follow Australia's move to ban access to social media sites for under-16s."

A UK government pilot will involve 300 teenagers testing social media bans, digital curfews, and app time limits. The six-week trial will compare experiences of restricted and unrestricted access to popular platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the need for real-world evidence to inform future decisions. An independent study will also assess the impact of reduced social media use on anxiety, sleep quality, and social interactions among 4,000 students aged 12-15 from Bradford. The initiative responds to growing calls for social media access restrictions for under-16s.

Read at www.theguardian.com