Before social media started dominating their lives, younger people were more likely to engage with nature. They played in woodlands, visited parks and went to rivers and beaches regularly. In one of his last pronouncements as Prime Minister, Keir Starmer said that the new ban on under-16s having access to social media is intended to "give kids their childhoods back". Starmer claimed that "Tech giants had their chance and failed."   The Government press release explicitly states that part of the objective is to give children greater access to nature.

There are reasons to think it may work. The Australians, who are six months ahead on banning social media for children and young teens, have observed a change in social norms. The ban seems to have empowered parents to discuss children's online habits. They are more likely to suggest outings and limit children's screen time. One business owner I spoke to said that her riding stables have experienced an upturn in demand in advance of the social media ban, and she confidently expects more parents will be signing up their children for riding and volunteering in stables. As she said: "This is the prompt people needed to get away from their screens."

In the short term, the social media ban may prove hard to enforce. Three months into their ban, the Australians had established that a full 85% of 12–15-year-olds were still using social media, using various workarounds, such as stating their ages incorrectly, using VPNs and setting up alternative accounts.

It seems likely that parental pressure may bring greater enforcement. 116,000 parents responded to the Government consultation about teenage social media, with 90% being supportive of the ban. There is also a raft of parental organisations supporting the ban and wanting it to be enforced, including Mumsnet, which argues that social media should be treated like tobacco or alcohol.

But it is not just about children: the Log Off movement argues that social media is bad for all generations. It damages relationships, sleep patterns, self-esteem and mental health.   On the other side of the equation, numerous reports have shown a positive link between visiting woodlands and improved mental wellbeing.

Let's face it: social media is a powerful drug, but nature is a healthier one. What is your experience?