Bradford children cut down on social media screen time for trial

Some students will use a smartphone app that limits their social media use, while others will carry on as normal, without any limitations.

At the start and end of the six-week period, participants will be asked to fill in short questionnaires about how they are feeling – covering things like anxiety, sleep, body image and school life.

At Appleton Academy in Wyke, where many of the students have been recruited, Hannah, 12, Blossom, 13, and Louis, 12, said they would miss communicating with friends on social media.

“A lot of people spend a lot of time on social media and they have friends there so it would be sad if screen time was only two hours,” said Hannah.

“I think it will be hard for the first two weeks but over time we should get used to it,” added Louis.

Rachel Garlick, Head of Secondary at Appleton Academy, said it was important to get the children’s opinions on the impact a ban might have for them.

“It’s really important we allow them to have that voice,” she said.

“They rely on social media such a lot for all their communication with each other.”