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Government launches real-world test of app restrictions
The UK government is trialling digital curfews, time limits and outright bans on social media for hundreds of teenagers to measure the effects on daily life.
Pilot design
Three hundred households across the UK will participate. Teenagers will be split into four groups: one with no restrictions, one with apps blocked entirely, one limited to one hour per day, and one locked out between 21:00 and 07:00.
Families will be interviewed before and after the trial to gauge changes in sleep, schoolwork and family dynamics. Researchers will also note any attempts by teens to bypass the controls.
Consultation runs in parallel
A separate government consultation on whether to ban social media for under-16s remains open until 26 May. Nearly 30,000 responses have already been submitted.
Political backing spans multiple parties and countries; France, Spain and Indonesia are considering similar measures. Critics warn that bans could drive teens to unregulated platforms or be easily sidestepped.
Expert reactions
"We welcome the government's efforts, but decisive action must follow. Tech companies must embed safety into every device, platform and AI tool so children encounter only age-appropriate content."
Rani Govender, NSPCC
"It is entirely right to consult rather than rush into bans that may not work. Parents want evidence-based measures, and these tests will provide valuable insights."
Andy Burrows, Molly Rose Foundation
Families already acting
Allyne Jamieson allows her 13-year-old daughter Lucinda a smartphone but no social media. She calls the platforms a "rabbit hole" and a "danger to children," adding that her daughter has not missed them.
Lucinda told the BBC that the restriction "hasn't really affected" her and she understands it is "for the best."
Scientific study to follow
Later this year, the Wellcome Trust will fund an independent trial involving 4,000 students aged 12 to 15 in Bradford. Researchers will track sleep, anxiety, social interactions, school attendance and bullying.
Professor Amy Orben, co-leading the study, said it would address the current lack of robust data on both the impact of social media and the effects of restricting it.
Ministers stress long-term approach
Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan told BBC 5 Live that the government is not pursuing a "once-and-done" solution. Instead, it plans sustained engagement to ensure policies are "led by evidence" and prioritise children's interests.
