The U.K. government is beginning a trial program aimed at regulating social media use among teenagers, introducing curfews and daily limits on popular apps such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. The initiative comes after lawmakers rejected a full ban for under-16s earlier this month, reflecting growing concerns over the impact of social media on youth wellbeing.

The six-week pilot will involve approximately 300 teens across the country and forms part of the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology’s broader digital wellbeing consultation. Since launching earlier this year, the consultation has already collected 30,000 responses from parents and children, highlighting the growing public debate on online safety. The consultation closes on May 26.

Participants in the trial will experience one of four intervention strategies. In the first group, parents will use controls to remove or disable selected apps entirely. A second group will impose a one-hour daily cap on access to social media platforms. A third will follow a curfew, restricting usage between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m., while the fourth group will continue unrestricted use to serve as a control.

The program follows recommendations from U.K. regulators, including Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office, which have urged social media companies to enhance protections for children. Suggested measures include stronger age verification technologies and steps to prevent strangers from contacting minors.

The trial also mirrors international trends, with Australia becoming the first country to ban social media access for children under 16 in December. Several European nations are now exploring similar policies, seeking a balance between digital engagement and mental health for young users.

Government officials stress that the pilot is designed to provide data on the effectiveness of various restrictions before considering any larger-scale implementation. By testing curfews and time caps, the U.K. aims to better understand how structured social media limits may influence sleep, focus, and overall wellbeing among teens.

The trial is expected to offer insights that could shape future regulations for the country’s rapidly growing online youth population, which increasingly spends multiple hours daily on social platforms.