The research found that limiting access to social media platforms had positive effects on young people’s daily routines, although the level of impact varied depending on the type of restriction introduced.
A complete ban on social media applications produced the strongest reported improvements in concentration and focus. However, the approach also caused the highest level of disruption, with many teenagers saying they felt disconnected from friends and online communities.
Meanwhile, an overnight social media curfew emerged as the easiest measure for families to maintain and delivered the most consistent improvements in sleep patterns.
The study, which involved 309 households, was commissioned by the UK government before outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to restrict social media access for children under the age of 16.
Teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 were assigned to one of three trial groups for a month. The interventions included a 15-minute daily limit on each social media app, a restriction preventing access between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., or the complete removal of social media applications from their devices.
Across all three groups, participants reported improvements in several areas, including sleep, mood, concentration, study habits and family relationships.
However, the trial also highlighted challenges in enforcing digital restrictions. Many teenagers found ways around the limits by using alternative devices such as tablets, laptops and older phones.
Participants also said broader restrictions could potentially be bypassed through methods such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and false age declarations.
The daily 15-minute-per-app limit recorded the lowest level of compliance among participants. Many teenagers described it as difficult to manage because it often interrupted conversations and affected communication with friends.
Some participants said they felt socially isolated during the trial, especially those who relied heavily on Snapchat as their main method of staying connected with peers.
The teenagers suggested that social media policies should take into account differences in age and maturity, arguing that older adolescents should have more independence and responsibility in managing their online activities.
The findings come amid growing debate in the UK and other countries over how to balance young people’s access to digital platforms with concerns about mental health, sleep disruption and online safety.