A recent study published in the UK found that teenagers who participated in a government-backed trial of social media restrictions reported improvements in sleep, concentration, and wellbeing. The study involved 309 households and assigned participants aged 13 to 17 to one of three interventions for one month: a 15-minute daily limit per social media app, a 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. social media curfew, or complete removal of social media apps from their devices.

Key Findings

All groups reported improvements in sleep, mood, concentration, study time, and family interaction. The 15-minute-per-app limit had the lowest compliance rate and was frequently described as impractical because it interrupted conversations and peer communication. Many participants reported feeling disconnected from friends during the trial, particularly where Snapchat was their primary means of communication.

The study’s findings have implications for parents and policymakers considering social media restrictions for minors. As the study’s participants noted, restrictions should be sensitive to age and maturity, with greater autonomy for older teenagers.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.