The UK government is set to test new ways of limiting teenagers’ use of social media, as concerns grow over its impact on young people’s wellbeing.
Under the pilot scheme, around 300 teenagers will take part in trials designed to assess different restrictions on app usage. The initiative, led by Liz Kendall, aims to gather real-world evidence before deciding on potential nationwide measures.
Participants will be divided into four groups. One group will have social media apps completely blocked, effectively simulating a full ban. Two others will face partial restrictions—either a daily usage cap of one hour or a night-time block between 9pm and 7am. A fourth group will act as a control, continuing normal usage.
The trial will evaluate how these measures affect teenagers’ daily lives, including sleep, school performance and family interactions. Parents and children involved will also be interviewed to better understand the practical challenges, such as enforcing controls or bypassing restrictions.
This experiment comes alongside a government consultation exploring whether the UK should introduce a legal ban on social media access for under-16s, similar to proposals already being considered in countries like Australia, France and Spain.
Supporters of stricter rules argue that stronger protections are needed to shield children from harmful content. NSPCC has called for technology companies to build safety measures directly into platforms, ensuring that minors only access age-appropriate content.
However, some experts warn that outright bans may be ineffective, as tech-savvy teenagers could find ways around restrictions or move to less regulated online spaces.
To strengthen the evidence base, a separate large-scale scientific study funded by Wellcome Trust will begin later this year. The project, involving 4,000 students aged 12 to 15, will be co-led by researchers from the University of Cambridge and the Bradford Institute for Health Research.
Led in part by Amy Orben, the study will examine how reduced social media use affects mental health, sleep patterns, school attendance and social behaviour.
Together, these initiatives reflect a broader effort by UK authorities to better understand the real impact of digital platforms on young people before introducing sweeping regulatory changes.
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