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4w ago

UK Launches Teen Social Media Restriction Trials

Ministers want real‑world evidence before deciding on an Australia‑style under‑16 ban.

Students Dua, 16 and Awand, 17, from Ricards Lodge High School in Wimbledon pose holding their mobile phones during an interview and discussion with Reuters about their thoughts on a social media ban for under 16s, in London, Britain, February 23, 2026, REUTERS/Katie Collins/File Photo
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Students from Ricards Lodge High School in Wimbledon take part in an interview and discussion with Reuters about their thoughts on a social media ban for under 16s, in London, Britain, February 23, 2026, REUTERS/Katie Collins

Overview

  • The government announced the six‑week home pilots on Wednesday to test how limits change teenagers’ sleep, schoolwork and family life.
  • Three interventions will be tried with 300 teens aged 13–17: disabling selected apps, a one‑hour daily cap, and a 9pm–7am curfew, with a fourth group unchanged for comparison.
  • Parents and children will be interviewed before and after the trial to capture effects and practical issues such as setting controls or teens finding workarounds.
  • The pilots run alongside a consultation closing 26 May that has nearly 30,000 responses after MPs this month rejected a Lords‑backed under‑16 ban.
  • Alongside the pilots, a Wellcome‑funded Bradford study will follow about 4,000 pupils later this year to measure wellbeing and school impacts as officials weigh mixed early evidence from Australia’s ban.