UK Study Limits Social Media for Thousands of Children to Assess Mental Health Impact

Thousands of children in the UK city of Bradford will have their social media access limited for six weeks as part of a new mental health study. The trial, involving 12 schools, aims to examine the impact of restricting social media use on the behavior of children and teenagers.

Between 4,000 and 5,000 children aged 12 to 15 will have their social media accounts monitored and restricted. Some participants will be allowed to use 10 selected apps, including TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, Threads, X, Kick, and Twitch, for only two hours per day, with a 9 p.m. curfew. Others will continue their usual usage but have their activity tracked.

The study, led by the Bradford Institute for Health Research and the University of Cambridge, is reported to be the world's first randomized controlled trial focused on social media restrictions. Participants will complete questionnaires at the beginning and end of the six-week period to report on their feelings related to anxiety, sleep, body image, and school life.

Researchers intend to identify which social media applications children use most frequently, as well as the times of day and duration of their use. The restrictions can be bypassed, but adherence to the rules will earn pupils points, increasing their chances of winning a £100 voucher. Participants also receive a £20 voucher for taking part.

Dr. John Pickavance, the trial manager, told The Times that the study seeks to determine if restricted social media use leads to better sleep or increased physical activity, or if it is simply replaced by other screen time activities like watching TV or playing video games. He also questioned whether other forms of screen time are more or less harmful or beneficial.

The study's findings come ahead of the UK government's planned social media ban for individuals under 16, slated for introduction next spring. This crackdown is expected to be more extensive than Australia's, addressing gaming and live-streaming platforms to prevent strangers from contacting children. The government is also considering overnight curfews and disabling infinite scrolling features for users under 18. Additionally, AI "romantic companion" chatbots and other AI chatbots will face stricter age verification measures, with a minimum age of 18 for those simulating sexual relationships or engaging in roleplay.

Encrypted messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal will not be included in the UK's ban.