Ministers arm under-16s social media ban with least surprising study of the year

Personal Tech

Boffins confirm: taking away teens' phone makes them act like humans again

Whitehall has spent time and taxpayer money confirming that teenagers who spend less time on social media tend to be happier, better rested, and more willing to interact with the people sitting in the same house.

Ministers say the government-backed trial strengthens the case for their planned ban on social media access for under-16s after providing real-world evidence that cutting back on apps does exactly what parents have been saying for years.

The study followed more than 300 families across the UK as they tried one of three restrictions at home: removing social media apps entirely, blocking access between 9 pm. and 7 am, or limiting each app to 15 minutes a day.

Across the trial, teenagers reported going to bed earlier, sleeping better, feeling calmer, and concentrating more effectively at school. Parents also described quieter...

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