The UK government will ban social media use for individuals under 16 starting in early 2027, following Australia's similar policy introduced in 2025. The move aims to prioritize children's well-being over technology company profits.
Researchers, including the Wellcome Trust and academic advisors, have launched the IRL Trial involving 4,000 children. Using phone apps for real-time monitoring, the study will assess social media's effects on youth mental health with results expected by mid-2027.
Challenges include tracking long-term outcomes and preventing circumvention via VPNs or facial recognition to bypass age restrictions.
