A recent Pew Research Center survey found that most of the country backs a social media ban for children under 16.
Six-in-10 U.S. adults support banning the use of social media for children under age 16, while only 1-in-5 oppose such a ban, according to the study, which surveyed 9,750 U.S. adults from May 26 to July 1. It arrives as debates over online privacy and safety concerns for children are at the forefront of policy debate.
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The survey found bipartisan support. Roughly equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats said they support an under-16 social media ban, with just 23% of Democrats and 19% of Republicans saying they’d oppose a ban that prevents anyone under the age of 16 from using social media sites.
Support for an under-16 social media ban is least popular with seniors 65 years and older, with only 49% in favor.
Parents of a child younger than 18 are the most likely to support a youth social media ban, with 65% saying they’d support it.
The survey also found that support for social media policies aimed at protecting minors has increased since 2023. In 2023, 69% of U.S. adults said they’d be in favor of social media companies limiting how much time minors can spend on social media. In 2026, that number rose to 78%.
The survey’s broad popular consensus may mirror recent legislative actions taken against social media use by minors.
Countries such as Denmark, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Indonesia are all considering legislation to restrict or limit social media use for children. Australia even banned social media for those under 18 last year, becoming the first country to do so.
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The poll comes just two days after the House passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety Act into law in a 267-117 vote.
The bill would require everyone to provide identification to play online video games and apps. While advocates of this legislation say it will protect minors from harmful content, free speech advocates have cited concerns over privacy and identity theft.
