A recent survey by the British Standards Institution has revealed that nearly half of young people in the UK wish the internet had never been invented. The survey, which included 1,293 participants aged 16 to 21, found that 68% feel worse about themselves after spending time on social media. The survey also found that 50% of respondents support the idea of a “digital curfew” that would restrict access to certain apps and websites after 10 pm.
Additionally, 46% expressed a preference for being young in a pre-internet world. The findings have sparked discussions about implementing digital curfews. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle indicated that the government is considering mandatory cut-off times for apps like TikTok and Instagram.
However, Rani Govender, policy manager for child safety online at the NSPCC, emphasized that digital curfews alone would not be sufficient to protect children from online risks.
Youth regret over internet’s impact
“A digital curfew alone is not going to protect children from the risks they face online,” Govender said.
“They will be able to see all these risks at other points of the day and they will still have the same impact.”
The study also found that 27% of respondents have shared their location online with strangers, and three-quarters reported spending more time online due to the pandemic, with 68% stating that this increased online time had negatively affected their mental health. Andy Burrows, the chief executive of the suicide prevention charity the Molly Rose Foundation, commented on the findings, highlighting that young people are aware of the online risks and want action from tech companies. “It’s clear that young people are aware of the risks online and, what’s more, they want action from tech companies to protect them,” Burrows said.
Burrows called for new laws to enforce a “safe by design” approach to regulation, prioritizing the needs of children and society over those of big tech companies. The study reflects growing concerns over the impact of internet and social media use on young people’s mental health and well-being. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how policymakers and tech companies will address these issues to ensure a safer online environment for young users.
Senior Software Engineer with a passion for building practical, user-centric applications. He specializes in full-stack development with a strong focus on crafting elegant, performant interfaces and scalable backend solutions. With experience leading teams and delivering robust, end-to-end products, he thrives on solving complex problems through clean and efficient code.
