Exploring Social Media Bans: How Researchers Will Study Their Impact

The UK government plans to implement a ban on social media for children under 16, mirroring a policy initiated in Australia in 2025. This decision prioritizes children’s mental health over the interests of tech companies. But how will researchers assess the effectiveness of this ban?

“There’s currently no evidence to support the outcome,” says Pete Etchells, a professor at Bath Spa University. His team is collaborating with Australian officials to analyze the ban’s effects and advise the UK government on potential strategies. “We’re treading on new ground.”

The Wellcome Trust is leading the UK research efforts, actively engaged in an in-person trial in Bradford. They have enlisted about 4,000 participants aged 12 to 15 from 10 schools and installed an app to monitor social media use. For half of the children, the app restricts access to select social platforms. Initial findings are slated for release mid-next year, following the enforcement of the ban. Katherine Sebastian from the Wellcome Trust emphasizes that the results will provide valuable insights for policy formulation.

This initiative aims to enhance existing research methodologies that often depend on self-reported data, like parents and children estimating social media usage, rather than objective assessments. There’s a notable absence of intervention studies in this domain, often limited in duration. “Substantial changes in mental health won’t manifest in just two weeks,” warns Etchells.

Australia’s ban, implemented in December, is too recent for long-term evaluation. Once a national ban is enacted, conducting controlled studies to compare user experiences becomes impractical. Furthermore, discerning other societal influences complicates the data analysis from large-scale research before and after the ban’s implementation.

Currently, Sebastian is strategizing further studies, optimistic about observing results shortly after the ban’s enforcement. A parliamentary bill is set to be introduced before Christmas, with anticipated implementation in early 2027.

The Wellcome Trust is inviting 14 research teams to submit plans examining the social media impact on young people’s well-being, with many expected to receive funding. Diverse research approaches aim to compile extensive data to yield comprehensive conclusions.

Some studies will monitor existing cohorts, regularly evaluating their mental health and well-being before and following the ban. Sebastian notes that while these methods can offer insights, they are often restrictive. Other proposals suggest immediate assessments through text surveys to gather real-time data. Additionally, analyzing existing records, such as hospitalization and absenteeism rates, may provide further insights.

Sebastian expresses hope that we will obtain meaningful results relatively soon after the ban. However, outcomes may vary significantly; some benefits from the social media ban exist, but the immediate fallout could be challenging due to the loss of online support networks.

The impact of this ban could evolve over years, as today’s youth transition to adulthood without social media exposure. “This is still unfolding,” states Sebastian, highlighting that policies may adapt as findings from their studies will inform future adjustments.

Meanwhile, some experts remain skeptical of the UK government’s approach to addressing youth mental health, citing the lack of robust data. Holly Bear from Oxford University emphasized that a universal age restriction is a “blunt instrument,” requiring more nuanced evidence. She noted that Wellcome’s research provides a much-needed opportunity to determine the efficacy of these measures.

Concerns exist regarding the potential to circumvent the ban; preliminary reports suggest that age verification technology might be tricked using screenshots, while VPNs allow users to access platforms from countries that don’t enforce age limits.

Data from the Molly Rose Foundation revealed that 61% of Australian children aged 12 to 15 had accounts on restricted platforms before the ban. As noted, it would be a “high-stakes gamble” for the UK to adopt a similar ban at this point, given these findings. Access to such platforms remains widespread.

For anyone needing support, contact the British Samaritans at 116123 (samaritans.org) or the US Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 (988lifeline.org). For resources in other countries, visit bit.ly/SuicideHelplines.