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UK Schoolchildren Face Social Media Curfew Trial
21 Jan
Summary
- Thousands of UK teens will be restricted to one hour of social media daily.
- A six-week trial will compare mental health of teens with and without limits.
- The UK government is consulting on a potential ban for under-16s.
In a world-first initiative, thousands of UK schoolchildren are participating in a trial imposing a social media curfew to examine its effects on mental health.
Approximately 4,000 teenagers aged 12 to 15 in Bradford will be restricted to a maximum of one hour of social media per day. Furthermore, access to platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram will be completely blocked between 9 pm and 7 am throughout the six-week study.
This trial, a collaboration between the NHS and Cambridge University researchers, will compare the mental health levels, anxiety, depression, and sleep patterns of participants against a control group. The findings aim to provide crucial evidence as the UK government actively consults on potentially banning social media access for individuals under 16.
Ministers announced the study amidst mounting pressure for such a ban, with parliamentary debates highlighting the urgency. The government is exploring various measures, including curfews, time limits, and restrictions on addictive design features, with a decision expected by summer.
