Children cut down on social screen time for trial

Thousands of teenagers have joined a trial to limit their time on social media as part of a major study.

Researchers at Born in Bradford believe the IRL (In Real Life) trial is the first major scientific study into the impact of limiting social media on young people's mental health.

Results from the study will help inform how the government implements a social media ban for under-16s that was announced in May and would be introduced by spring 2027.

During preliminary stages, 200 students aged 12-15 were asked to limit social media use, but now the research team has recruited 4,000 students from Bradford secondary schools.

Dawson, 12, is one of the students taking part. He said he spent about two hours a day on social media and was looking forward to spending less time on his smartphone.

"I think it will make stronger relationships because I won't be on my phone as much," he said.

"I feel like I spend too much on it and I don't think I focus on the things I should."

His dad, Adam, said he hoped the trial would allow him to spend more time with his son.

"I might see more of him downstairs, that would be a good start.

"If he's not always on his phone, he can be out seeing his friends more. It will be a challenge, but I hope he'll get there."

Some students will use a smartphone app that limits their social media use, while others will carry on as normal, without any limitations.

At the start and end of the six-week period, participants will be asked to fill in short questionnaires about how they are feeling - covering things like anxiety, sleep, body image and school life.

At Appleton Academy in Wyke, where many of the students have been recruited, Hannah, 12, Blossom, 13, and Louis, 12, said they would miss communicating with friends on social media.

"A lot of people spend a lot of time on social media and they have friends there so it would be sad if screen time was only two hours," said Hannah.

"I think it will be hard for the first two weeks but over time we should get used to it," added Louis.

Rachel Garlick, Head of Secondary at Appleton Academy, said it was important to get the children's opinions on the impact a ban might have for them.

"It's really important we allow them to have that voice," she said.

"They rely on social media such a lot for all their communication with each other."

Dr John Pickavance, trial manager, said the study would create "rigorous scientific" evidence for future policy making.

"The government has made that decision but we don't have any details yet and we don't know how it's going to be implemented," he said.

"We want there to be the best evidence available to any policy makers, now or in the future, so these decisions are being made in the young people's best interests."

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