The UK government is set to trial social media bans and digital curfews among a group of 300 teenagers. The aim is to gather evidence for potential legal restrictions akin to Australia's recent ban. Tech Secretary Liz Kendall explained that these trials will help inform the next steps, with interviews planned before and after the pilot scheme.

Children and parents involved in the trial will be asked about impacts on family life, sleep and school work. One group will have their social apps disabled entirely; another group will see caps on app use or digital curfews. The fourth group will serve as a control. This multi-faceted approach aims to provide insights into how different interventions might affect young people.

Meanwhile, the government is continuing its consultation about banning social media for under-16s until May 26th. Despite widespread political support and backing from some campaigners, experts caution that such measures could be easily circumvented or push children towards riskier online spaces. Tech companies are also being urged to prioritize their platforms' safety.

The second study, involving 4,000 students in Bradford, will explore the effects of reduced social media use on sleep, anxiety levels and school interactions. Prof Amy Orben hopes this research will help address current data gaps surrounding social media's impact on children.

Ministers say they are not taking a one-size-fits-all approach but want to tackle the issue with evidence-based measures that stick over time. As SUNI reflects, perhaps the real challenge lies in making digital spaces safer for everyone, rather than just limiting access.