The UK government is launching a series of pilot studies to test the impact of restricting young people’s access to social media as it considers a full ban.
The pilots will include various measures that reduce the use of social media and screen time that will take place in the homes of 300 teenagers in a first of its kind trial.
Momentum in recent months has appeared to be going towards banning children from using social media, similar to action taken in Australia. However, when put to a vote in the commons this month, MPs voted against an immediate ban.
Though it was voted against, the government has expressed a desire to acquire more data on how a ban could and would work, with various consultations, university studies and now, the pilot programmes, taking place.
Included in the new pilots will be full social media bans, digital curfews and time limits on certain apps.
The 300 children will be split into four categories, some will be subject to parental controls, others will have a one hour cap on social media apps, another will have social media blocked between 9pm and 7am and the last will serve as a control group with full access.
Data from the pilots will be assessed by the government and a panel of academics and will inform further policy decisions.
“We are determined to give young people the childhood they deserve and to prepare them for the future,” said Tech Secretary Liz Kendall.
“This is why we are listening to parents, children and experts with our consultation, as well as testing different options in the real world. These pilots will give us the evidence we need to take the next steps, informed by the experiences of families themselves.”
Read more: Major study launched to test social media restrictions on children