Hundreds of teenagers in the UK are set to take part in a government-backed trial exploring social media restrictions, as ministers consider tougher measures to protect children online. The pilot, led by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, will involve 300 participants aged 13 to 17 testing different limits over six weeks.
Under the scheme, some teenagers will have social media apps disabled entirely, while others will be restricted from using them overnight. A third group will face a one-hour daily cap on popular platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. A fourth group will continue with unrestricted access for comparison. Technology minister Liz Kendall said the initiative aims to guide future policy decisions.
“We are determined to give young people the childhood they deserve and to prepare them for the future,” she said. “These pilots will give us the evidence we need to take the next steps, informed by the experiences of families themselves.”
The trial comes as the UK weighs whether to follow Australia in introducing a nationwide ban on social media use for under-16s. Other countries, including France, are also considering similar restrictions.
Earlier this month, UK lawmakers rejected an immediate ban while awaiting the outcome of the consultation, which is expected to conclude on May 26. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not ruled out future restrictions, as debate continues between advocates of stricter controls and experts who argue that platforms should instead improve safety features.
