In the first episode of Behind the Algorithm, students from Workington Academy Radio sit down with Josh MacAlister OBE MP, Member of Parliament for Whitehaven and Workington and Minister for Children and Families.
Josh explains how social media platforms are designed to capture attention, why algorithms are so powerful, and how this is affecting young people’s mental health, sleep, relationships, and time spent in the real world. Students question whether education alone can solve these problems and explore why social media, rather than phones themselves, has become the focus of current government discussions.
The episode also looks at the responsibility of technology companies, the impact of constant comparison and misinformation, and the wider implications for democracy and how young people access news. Josh shares his own experiences of managing screen time and offers practical advice for developing healthier digital habits.
Recorded at Workington Academy Radio, this student-led conversation places young voices at the heart of a national debate about social media, regulation, and growing up online.
Podcast (behindthealgorithm): Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:55 — 43.8MB)
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