Tag Archives: limiting

Does Limiting Social Media Use Benefit Teens? New Evidence Revealed

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Teens in social media trial

Teens in Trial to Limit Social Media Use: A Shift Towards Real-life Interaction

Daniel de la Hoz/Getty Images

A groundbreaking study is exploring the effects of reduced social media usage on teens’ mental health and well-being. While results are not expected until mid-2027, ongoing discussions suggest that some governments might institute bans on social media for teenagers before the outcomes are known.

The merit of such a ban is still up for debate in the courts. Despite limited evidence, Australia has introduced regulations for minors under 16, and the UK government is considering similar measures.

This trial prioritizes young people’s voices by involving them in the planning process. Historically, children and adolescents have been excluded from critical discussions concerning social media design and management.

“Involving kids is crucial,” states Pete Etchells from Bath Spa University, UK, who is not directly involved in the study.

“There is ample evidence pointing to the potential harms of social media on young users, some of which can be severe,” notes Amy Orben, co-leader of the trial, emphasizing the uncertainty regarding the broader impact of social media time.

To obtain clearer answers, large-scale studies are necessary. The IRL trial takes place in Bradford, England, aiming to recruit around 4,000 participants aged 12 to 15 across 10 schools. A bespoke app will be used to monitor social media engagement.

Half of the participants will face specific time limits on certain apps like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, with no restrictions on messaging apps like WhatsApp. “Total usage will be capped at one hour a day, with a curfew from 9 PM to 7 AM,” explains Dan Lewar from the Bradford Health Data Science Center, who co-leads the trial. This is significant, considering that the average social media usage for this age group is about three hours daily.

Importantly, participants will be randomized by grade level, allowing 8th graders to serve as the control group while 9th graders undergo restrictions. The aim is to create similar circumstances for both groups. “If a child’s social media is restricted, but their friends are active online post-curfew, they may feel excluded,” Orben explains.

Lewar emphasizes that the trial was designed collaboratively with teens. “They opposed a blanket ban,” he notes.

The comprehensive study will span six weeks around October, with preliminary results anticipated in mid-2027.

Orben emphasizes that this trial will yield more precise data on teenage social media habits through app monitoring rather than relying on self-reported information. The team will also gather data on anxiety, sleep quality, socializing, happiness, body image, school absenteeism, and experiences of bullying.

Etchells asserts the necessity of understanding whether restrictions or bans are beneficial or detrimental to youth. “The honest answer is we don’t know. That’s why research like this is critical.”

This initiative is welcomed due to the absence of high-quality studies in this area. A recent report from the UK Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology highlighted the need for quality causal evidence linking young people’s mental health to digital technology use, especially concerning social media, smartphones, and AI chatbots.

As stated by Margarita Panayiotou from the University of Manchester, engaging with youth is essential in social media research. Her findings show that teens often find ways to circumvent outright bans, making testing restrictions a more viable option. This approach may also be more ethical, as the harm caused by a ban is not yet understood.

“Teens view social media as a space for self-discovery,” says Panayiotou, highlighting concerns about platform distrust, feelings of loss of control, and unintentional overuse. They also report struggles with online judgment, body comparisons, and cyberbullying.

According to Etchells and Panayiotou, the primary challenge for governments is to compel tech companies to ensure safer social media environments for youth.

The Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA) mandates that technology firms like TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram (owned by Meta), as well as Google (which owns YouTube), enhance user safety. “Effective enforcement of OSA could address many existing issues,” asserts Etchells.

Topics:

  • Mental Health/
  • Social Media

Source: www.newscientist.com

Paris Olympics to showcase city’s shift towards reducing air pollution by limiting car usage.

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Paris, the host city for the 2024 Summer Olympics, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The city has made efforts to become greener by reducing its reliance on cars, setting an example for cities around the world.

Under the leadership of Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Paris has enacted several changes to promote sustainability. Over 100 roads have been closed to automobiles, parking fees have tripled, SUVs have been restricted, around 50,000 parking spaces have been removed, and over 1,300 kilometers of bike lanes have been built.

These efforts have resulted in a 40% reduction in air pollution, according to city officials. Hidalgo expressed that Paris would end its dependency on cars through disruptive changes.

Although European cities like Paris have been leading the way in reducing car use, similar reforms in the U.S. have been slow to materialize. The American infrastructure has historically been built around cars, making it challenging to transition to alternative modes of transportation.

The environmental reforms in Paris have garnered support from residents like Louise Kraustl, who believes that fewer cars and more walking and cycling make the city safer and less polluted. Inspired by the concept of the “15-minute city,” Paris aims to create pedestrian and bike-friendly neighborhoods where daily necessities are within easy reach.

While some cities in the U.S. have made progress in promoting biking and public transport, car dependency remains prevalent. Despite the challenges, experts emphasize the importance of reducing transportation emissions to combat climate change and improve air quality.

Paris’ efforts to prioritize sustainable urban planning serve as a model for other cities to follow. As cities worldwide grapple with the effects of climate change, the need for transportation reform becomes increasingly urgent.

The upcoming elections in Paris will be crucial in determining the city’s continued commitment to reducing car use and combating climate change.

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Global expansion: Meta and Google facing accusations of limiting access to reproductive health information

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A recent report accuses Meta and Google of obstructing information about abortion and reproductive health in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

MSI Reproductive Choices and the Center to Combat Digital Hate claim that while these platforms restrict advertising for local abortion providers, they don’t limit public access to reproductive health care, leading to the spread of damaging misinformation.

Mehta has agreed to review the findings of the report.

MSI, operating in 37 countries, has had ads containing sexual health information rejected or removed by the platforms.

MSI Ghana and Vietnam reported that their ads promoting reproductive health content were removed or flagged as violating community guidelines.

Whitney Chinogwenya, Global Marketing Manager at MSI, expressed concerns about the censorship of reproductive health content on social media platforms like Facebook, which many women rely on for information.

MSI Mexico faced removal of a Facebook post promoting legal abortion services despite the recent decriminalization of abortion in some states.

The report highlighted Meta’s inaction against anti-abortion misinformation and misleading content about abortion procedures.

The report also revealed fake MSI pages on Facebook that exploit the organization’s reputation for various malicious purposes.

MSI clinics in Ghana were targeted by disinformation campaigns on messaging platforms.

MSI Ghana Advocacy stresses the importance of fact-checking systems on digital platforms to promote accurate reproductive health information.

The report, compiled from interviews and evidence from MSI teams in several countries, aims to raise awareness among digital platforms about their responsibilities.

Meta and Google responded to the report’s allegations, with Meta emphasizing its policies against false information and Google denying any inconsistent enforcement on its platforms.

Both companies stated their commitment to ensuring accurate and compliant advertising on their platforms.

Source: www.theguardian.com