Half of young people support ‘digital curfew’ as survey reveals negative impact of social media

A survey has found that half of 16-21 year olds would support a “digital curfew” which would enforce a mandatory cut-off time for certain apps, citing the negative effects of social media. 

Almost half of British teenagers admitted feeling addicted to their phones. 57% of girls agreed with the statement “I think I am addicted to social media”, compared to 37% of the boys surveyed. 

The study was conducted at the University of Cambridge and tracked the lives of 19,000 young people born from 2000-2002, who were then surveyed as 16-18 year olds. 

70% of young people replied to another survey stating that they felt worse about themselves after spending time on social media, and 42% admitted lying to their parents or guardians about what they did online.  

Young people are aware of the risks online and, what’s more, they want action from tech companies to protect them

Andy Burrows, chief executive of suicide prevention charity the Molly Rose Foundation

These results were released after a statement from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle, hinted at a social media curfew which would prevent children from using apps such as TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, past 10pm.

Kyle stated he was “watching very carefully” as TikTok announced plans to introduce a new mindfulness tool which encourages under-16s to leave the app. Past 10pm, the ‘For You’ page would get taken over and play soothing music, aimed at moving teenagers off the app. 

The technology secretary also said he was sceptical of introducing new restrictions that would have a “profound impact” on children if there is no evidence to support the benefits. 

Amid the success and popularity of TV shows like Netflix’s Adolescence, these statistics indicate a new phase of social media awareness, showing parental figures that they need to have a vested interest in their child’s online activity.

According to Andy Burrows, chief executive of suicide prevention charity the Molly Rose Foundation, “young people are aware of the risks online and, what’s more, they want action from tech companies to protect them”. 

He also added that the algorithms used by large tech companies can “take young people down rabbit holes of harmful and distressing material through no fault of their own”. 

Rani Govender, the NSPCC’s policy manager for child safety online, said that a digital curfew would not completely prevent children from being exposed to harmful material online. However, it would allow parents to know that their children are not being put in harm’s way in their own bedrooms as soon as the lights go out.