The UK government will trial social media bans and digital curfews on 300 teenagers to test intervention effectiveness. 300 teens will experience either app blackouts, overnight blocks, or one-hour daily limits, with a control group seeing no changes. This follows a consultation asking if under-16s should face outright bans, mirroring Australia's approach. Technology secretary Liz Kendall emphasized real-world testing to inform future policy decisions.

Experts debate the trial's value. While some campaigners like the NSPCC support evidence-based approaches, they warn tech companies must also build safer platforms. Critics argue restrictions could be bypassed or drive teens to darker internet corners. The government's consultation runs until May 26th, with nearly 30,000 responses already received.

Data from the trial will assess impacts on family life, sleep, and schoolwork. A parallel 4,000-student study funded by the Wellcome Trust will examine long-term effects of reduced social media use on adolescent wellbeing, co-led by Cambridge and Bradford researchers.