Hundreds of teenagers in the United Kingdom are set to take part in trials involving social media bans and app time limits, as the government explores new measures aimed at improving online safety for children.
The initiative comes as authorities seek input from parents on whether to adopt an approach similar to Australia’s, which enforces a blanket ban on social media use for children under the age of 16.
Around 300 participants aged between 13 and 17 will test various restrictions on social media usage over a six-week period, with the aim of assessing effects on their academic performance, sleep patterns and family interactions.
According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, some participants will have their social media applications completely disabled, while others will be restricted from accessing them overnight.
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Another group will be limited to one hour per day on widely used platforms among teenagers, including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
Their outcomes will be measured against a control group of young people who will continue to have unrestricted access.
“We are determined to give young people the childhood they deserve and to prepare them for the future,” said technology minister Liz Kendall.
“These pilots will give us the evidence we need to take the next steps, informed by the experiences of families themselves.”
Australia became the first country in December to bar individuals under 16 from using major social media platforms.
Other nations are also weighing similar actions, including France, where lawmakers in January approved a bill to restrict access for those under 15, although it is yet to receive final approval.
The UK government has also opened a consultation on a potential Australia-style prohibition, alongside other possible measures such as stricter age limits and the removal of addictive features like endless scrolling.
Earlier this month, Members of Parliament rejected proposals from the House of Lords to impose a ban on under-16s, pending the outcome of the consultation, which is expected to conclude on May 26.
Public figures in the UK, including actor Hugh Grant, have called on the government to implement a ban, arguing that parents alone cannot effectively address the risks associated with social media use.
However, some specialists caution that such restrictions may be easily bypassed and instead advocate for technology companies to prioritise making their platforms safer.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has yet to rule out the possibility of introducing a ban.