UK Study: Effects of Restricting Social Media for Children
- Researchers at the University of Cambridge will begin a study of 4,000 students in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to determine the effects of limiting social media access.The investigation comes...
- Australia banned social media for those under 16 in december 2025.
- While evidence suggests potential harms from social media use in children, there hasn't been a large-scale study examining the impact of limiting access in healthy children.
UK Launches Landmark Study on Social Media’s Impact on Children
Researchers at the University of Cambridge will begin a study of 4,000 students in Bradford, West Yorkshire, to determine the effects of limiting social media access.The investigation comes as governments worldwide, including Australia and the UK, consider restricting social media use for young people.
Australia banned social media for those under 16 in december 2025. the ban applies to platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. UK ministers launched a consultation on a similar measure on january 19, 2026.
While evidence suggests potential harms from social media use in children, there hasn’t been a large-scale study examining the impact of limiting access in healthy children.
“This study is a world first to try to look at that question,” said Prof. Amy Orben of the University of Cambridge, co-lead of the study.
The study will focus on students in years 8,9,and 10 at 30 secondary schools. Participants will complete questionnaires about their mental health,sleep,and friendships,and will download a research app to their primary device.
Schools will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will have their social media use tracked by the app, while the other will have access to TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Reddit, and YouTube limited.