British teenagers who took part in a government-backed trial limiting social media use reported better sleep, improved concentration and enhanced wellbeing, according to a study published on Tuesday.
The research found that completely removing social media apps produced the greatest improvements in focus and attention. However, participants who followed this approach also reported the highest levels of social disruption and feelings of isolation from friends.
An overnight social media curfew, which blocked access between 9pm and 7am proved to be the easiest measure for families to enforce and consistently delivered the strongest improvements in sleep quality.
The study also found that many teenagers were able to bypass restrictions by using tablets, laptops and older mobile phones. Participants said broader age-based restrictions could also be circumvented through virtual private networks (VPNs) and inaccurate age declarations.
The trial involved 309 households and was commissioned by the UK government. Teenagers aged 13 to 17 were assigned to one of three month-long interventions: limiting social media use to 15 minutes per app each day, observing a nightly social media curfew, or removing social media apps entirely from their devices.
Across all three groups, participants reported improvements in sleep, mood, concentration, study habits and family relationships during the trial.
Researchers found that the 15 minute daily limit recorded the lowest compliance rate, with many teenagers describing the restriction as impractical because it frequently interrupted conversations and communication with friends.
Many participants also said they felt socially disconnected during the trial, particularly those who relied on Snapchat as their primary means of staying in touch with friends.
The teenagers recommended that any future social media restrictions should take age and maturity into account, arguing that older adolescents should be given greater independence in managing their online activity.
Goodness Anunobi
