health
UK government to trial social media ban for hundreds of teens
A teen social media ban pilot in the U.K. will include restrictions ranging from curfews to time caps on popular apps like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
TL;DR
- The U.K. government is piloting a six-week social media restriction program for 300 teenagers.
- The pilot includes interventions like app disabling, one-hour daily caps, and nighttime curfews.
- This follows the U.K. Parliament's rejection of a blanket social media ban for under-16s.
- Online safety organizations are urging social media firms to improve child protection measures.
- Australia and Spain have previously implemented bans on social media for young people.
- A major scientific trial is underway in the U.K. to analyze social media's impact on adolescent wellbeing.
- Meta has been found liable for damages for failing to protect children on its platforms.
- Meta and YouTube are also facing scrutiny over alleged addictive features causing mental distress.