Speaking of social media…

Dr Roseane de Fátima Guimarães from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières in Canada examines the relationships between young people and their phones, and looks for ways to make these relationships healthier.

“Problematic smartphone use is broadly defined as a compulsive pattern of smartphone use that interferes with daily functioning, academic performance or social relationships,” she says. “The teenage brain is still developing and is highly plastic. It has a strong desire for rewards, limited behavioural control and a high sensitivity to experiences.”

Many social media apps are designed to trigger the unpredictable release of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that triggers feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. For example, your brain will give you a hit of dopamine when one of your posts gets a like or you receive a message from a friend. This trains your brain to constantly be craving the next hit and makes social media particularly addictive. “Adolescent brains are particularly sensitive to dopamine,” says Roseane. “As a result, smartphone and social media use may feel especially appealing.”

If you are struggling with problematic smartphone use, Roseane has some tips that can help. “Try setting limits on social media use and prioritising real-world activities like physical exercise, outdoor walks and meeting friends in person,” advises Roseane. “Build your self-regulation skills, develop healthy routines and nurture supportive family or peer environments.”

Noticing native ads

Dr Maike Hübner and Professor Julia Thalmann from Hochschule Ruhr West University of Applied Sciences in Germany are studying how people on social media engage with advertising. In particular, they have been investigating how users engage with ‘native ads’, adverts that have been disguised to look like normal posts.

“Instead of appearing as separate commercials, native ads are placed directly into a social media feed, so they blend in with posts from friends or influencers,” says Maike. “If you cannot tell that something has commercial intent behind it, you cannot judge it critically,”

In their research, Maike and Julia found that users tend to disengage with content when they notice that it has been tagged as an advert. However, many users don’t notice these tags, suggesting that advertising can influence people even when they are not aware of it.

“Recognising ads is not just about spotting disclosures, it’s also about asking questions,” says Maike. “Ask yourself, what is the intent behind this post? Is someone trying to sell me something, promote an idea or influence how I feel? Taking a moment to question what you see and why you respond to it will give you more control over your decisions.”

Will the ban work?

Well, that is the question on everyone’s lips – and opinion is divided. On one hand, the ban sets a clear legal standard and empowers parents to set boundaries with their children. On the other hand, teenagers have a knack for bypassing regulations that stand between them and what they want.

At the end of 2025, Australia introduced a similar ban, but so far, research seems to suggest that it is having limited success. One study found that 61% of 12-to-15-year-olds are still accessing the banned sites.

So, will the UK’s ban prove more successful?

If you’re a student, parent/guardian or teacher let us know what you think in the comments box below.