Behind The Algorithm

This special Best Bits episode of Behind the Algorithm brings together the most powerful moments from across the series.

Students from Workington Academy Radio explore how social media is shaping the lives of young people today, featuring highlights from conversations with leading voices including Josh MacAlister, Will Gardner, Adrian Dakers, and Matthew Haywood.

Across the episode, we dive into:

Behind the Algorithm is a student-led podcast from Workington Academy, giving young people a voice in one of the most important conversations of our time.

Listen to the full series on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.

The post Behind the Algorithm: Best Bits, Social Media, Mental Health & Real Stories appeared first on Workington Academy.

In Episode 5 of Behind the Algorithm, students from Workington Academy Radio speak with former student and Matthew Haywood about his journey from school to winning Survivor UK and building a presence on social media.

Matthew reflects on how his relationship with social media changed after winning Survivor UK, including the opportunities it has created and the pressures that come with being a public figure online. He shares honest insights into dealing with negative comments, the addictive nature of content creation, and the challenge of finding a healthy balance between online life and real-world experiences.

During the conversation, Matthew discusses the impact of social media on young people’s mental health, including comparison culture, online validation, and the pressure to present a perfect lifestyle. He also highlights the positive side of social media, from global connection to new career opportunities, while emphasising the importance of using platforms responsibly.

The episode explores the ongoing debate around social media regulation, with Matthew supporting education and stronger safeguards over a full ban, and offering practical advice for young people growing up in an increasingly digital world.

Behind the Algorithm is a student-led podcast series investigating how social media platforms and algorithms shape the online experiences of young people. Recorded at Workington Academy Radio, the series gives young people a voice in conversations around technology, wellbeing and the future of social media.

The post Behind the Algorithm: Episode 5 – Mathew Haywood on Content Creation, Reality TV and Social Media appeared first on Workington Academy.

In Episode 4 of Behind the Algorithm, students from Workington Academy Radio speak with Adrian Dakers from Little Blackbird Limited about the growing conversation around social media and its impact on young people’s mental health.

During the conversation, Adrian discusses how social media platforms can influence behaviour, attention, wellbeing and mental health, and why the design of modern digital platforms can make it difficult for young people to switch off. He shares insights from his work at Little Blackbird Limited, exploring the challenges schools face and what parents, educators and technology companies can do to support healthier digital habits.

Adrian was also joined during the recording by his four-month-old labradoodle, Flossy, who made a brief appearance in the studio.

Behind the Algorithm is a student-led podcast series investigating how social media platforms and algorithms shape the online experiences of young people. Students from Workington Academy are interviewing experts from politics, education and online safety to better understand the technology that surrounds their everyday lives.

Recorded at Workington Academy Radio, the series puts young people at the centre of an important national conversation about technology, responsibility and digital wellbeing.

The post Behind the Algorithm: Episode 4 – Adrian Dakers on Social Media and Mental Health Impacts appeared first on Workington Academy.

In Episode 3 of Behind the Algorithm, we turn the focus back to the voices at the heart of this series, students.

Three Year 8 students from Workington Academy share their honest experiences of growing up with social media. From screen time and scrolling habits to pressure, comparison, group chats and online trends, they reflect on how platforms shape their daily lives.

Following conversations with national figures in Episodes 1 and 2, this episode grounds the debate in real student experience. No headlines, no policy language, just honest discussion about what it’s actually like to grow up online in 2026.

Behind the Algorithm is a student-led podcast from Workington Academy Radio exploring the impact of social media, algorithms and digital life on young people.

The post Behind the Algorithm: Episode 3 – Year 8 Students on Social Media and Real Life appeared first on Workington Academy.

In Episode 2 of Behind the Algorithm, students from Workington Academy Radio speak with Will Gardner OBE, CEO of Childnet, one of the UK’s leading organisations dedicated to keeping children and young people safe online.

Will explains how social media platforms and algorithms shape what young people see, think, and feel online, and why these systems can have such a powerful influence on behaviour, mental health, and wellbeing. Students explore how algorithms amplify content, the risks of harmful or misleading material, and why online safety is about far more than screen time alone.

The conversation looks at responsibility, where it should sit between young people, parents, schools, technology companies, and government, and why education, design choices, and regulation must work together. Will also discusses the role of digital literacy, how young people can be supported to navigate online spaces more safely, and what realistic protection looks like in a fast-moving digital world.

Recorded at Workington Academy Radio, this episode places student voices at the centre of an important national conversation about social media, algorithms, and growing up online.

Behind the Algorithm is a student-led podcast series investigating life online, featuring voices from education, politics, and child online safety.

The post Behind the Algorithm: Episode 2 – Will Gardner OBE on Social Media and Algorithms appeared first on Workington Academy.

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.

The post Behind the Algorithm: Episode 1 – Josh MacAlister OBE MP on Social Media and Safer Phones appeared first on Workington Academy.