Why is the UK trialing a social media curfew for schoolchildren?

The trial aims to assess the impact of reduced social media use on the mental health of teenagers, including anxiety, depression, and sleep.

What are the specific restrictions in the UK social media trial?

Participants are limited to one hour of social media daily and it is blocked between 9 pm and 7 am for six weeks.

Will the UK ban social media for under-16s like Australia?

The UK government is consulting on a potential ban for under-16s, considering various measures to protect young people online.

Home / Health / UK Schoolchildren Face Social Media Curfew Trial

UK Schoolchildren Face Social Media Curfew Trial

21 Jan

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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.

UK Schoolchildren Face Social Media Curfew Trial

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.