In a pioneering move, a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge has announced a large-scale study to examine the impact of restricting social media access for children in the UK. The study, dubbed the IRL (In Real Life) trial, will involve around 4,000 students from 30 secondary schools in Bradford, West Yorkshire, focusing on those in years 8, 9, and 10.
The study aims to shed light on the effects of limiting social media use on various aspects of adolescent well-being, including mental health, sleep patterns, and time spent with friends and family. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: either their social media use will be simply monitored, or their access to popular apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook will be limited to one hour per day, with a curfew from 9 pm to 7 am.
“This study is a world first to try to look at that question,” said Professor Amy Orben, co-lead of the study. “We know that if we take away social media for one adolescent, that might have a very different impact than if we take it away for their whole friendship group for a certain period of time.”
The researchers will assess the participants’ levels of anxiety and depression, as well as monitor their sleep patterns, experiences of bullying, and how they compare themselves to their peers. The study’s findings may prove valuable for policymakers around the world as they grapple with the issue of regulating social media access for young people.
The announcement of the IRL trial comes as politicians in various countries, including Australia, consider banning under-16s from using social media. In the UK, a proposed amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, backed by some Labour peers, aims to introduce an outright ban on children using social media.
“The time for delay and procrastination is over,” said Lord John Nash, who is pushing for the amendment. “Without swift action to raise the age limit for social media to 16, we are at risk of a societal catastrophe.”
The researchers acknowledged that the study has limitations, such as the possibility of participants using devices that belong to others or choosing not to participate. However, they expressed hope that the results will provide valuable insights that can inform policymakers’ decisions on this critical issue.
“The decision that policymakers need to make is up to them,” said Orben. “We’re really just delivering the best quality evidence we can in the timeframes that are available.”
The IRL trial is set to begin its pilot phase in April, with the first results expected in the summer of 2027.
