Workington Academy Radio

Behind The Algorithm

Society EN ↓ 6 episodes

Behind the Algorithm is a student-led podcast from Workington Academy Radio investigating how social media algorithms shape young lives, online culture, and the debate around restricting social media for under-16s.

Author

Workington Academy Radio

Episodes

Behind the Algorithm: Best Bits, Social Media, Mental Health & Real Stories 29.04.2026 49:52

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 in...

Behind the Algorithm: Episode 5 – Mathew Haywood on Content Creation, Reality TV and Social Media 22.03.2026 21:06

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 pub...

Behind the Algorithm: Episode 4 – Adrian Dakers on Social Media and Mental Health Impacts 08.03.2026 33:56

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 digita...

Behind the Algorithm: Episode 3 – Year 8 Students on Social Media and Real Life 23.02.2026 26:32

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. How much time do they reall...

Behind the Algorithm: Episode 2 – Will Gardner OBE on Social Media and Algorithms 09.02.2026 26:10

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,...

Behind the Algorithm: Episode 1 – Josh MacAlister OBE MP on Social Media and Safer Phones 31.01.2026

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...