Pew Survey Finds Broad Support for Social Media Ban for Minors Under 16
A new survey from the Pew Research Center has revealed that a significant majority of Americans support legislation that would prohibit individuals under the age of 16 from using social media platforms. According to the study, which polled 9,750 U.S. adults between May 26 and June 1, 2026, approximately 56% of respondents favor such a ban. This finding comes at a time when governments in countries like Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom are actively considering or implementing minimum age restrictions for social media access, and as lawmakers in California weigh similar measures in the United States.
The survey indicates that while there is robust support for the under-16 ban, the public is not monolithic in its views. Only about 21% of adults oppose the measure, while a notable 23% of respondents stated they are unsure about the policy. This distribution of opinion highlights a complex landscape regarding youth social media regulation. It also occurs against the backdrop of current industry standards, where many major platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat already require users to be at least 13 years of age to create an account, making the proposed ban a significant escalation from existing age restrictions.
The data reveals that support for a total ban on social media for those under 16 cuts across demographic and political lines, with no major group opposing the measure by a majority. Among age demographics, Americans aged 30 to 49 show the highest level of support, with 63% favoring the prohibition. This is followed closely by adults aged 50 to 64 at 57%, and those aged 65 and older at 49%. Interestingly, the youngest adults surveyed—those between 18 and 29—show the lowest support at 52%, though this still represents a majority. The survey also found a significant difference based on parental status, with 65% of parents with a child under 18 supporting the ban, compared to 52% of those without young children.
The bipartisan nature of the issue is one of the survey’s most striking findings. Support for an under-16 social media ban is strong across the political spectrum, with 59% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents in favor, compared to 54% of Democrats and Democratic leaners. While there is a slight disparity in support levels, the fact that clear majorities in both parties endorse the restriction suggests a rare area of common ground in the current political climate. This consensus may reflect widespread concerns about the impact of social media on adolescent mental health, body image, and attention spans, which have become prominent issues in public discourse across the country.
Beyond the specific proposal of an outright ban, the Pew Research Center also tracked public opinion on a range of other regulatory measures aimed at protecting minors online. The survey found that support for these measures has actually increased since 2023. For instance, the percentage of adults supporting a requirement for parental consent for minors to create social media accounts has risen to 85%, up from 81% three years prior. Similarly, support for mandatory age verification before using social media sites has jumped to 78%, and support for setting time limits on how long minors can spend on social media has also reached 78%. In all cases, fewer than one-in-ten adults oppose these measures, indicating strong public backing for proactive regulation.
when analyzing breakdowns by age for these specific policies, a generational divide emerges. While majorities of all age groups support these protective measures, adults under 30 are notably less enthusiastic than their older counterparts. For example, only 66% of adults aged 18 to 29 support mandatory age verification, a figure that jumps to roughly 79% for those aged 30 to 49, 84% for those aged 50 to 64, and 80% for those over 65. This pattern held true for parental consent and time limits as well, with younger adults consistently showing lower support, perhaps reflecting a greater skepticism of regulation or a different perspective on the role of social media in daily life.
Furthermore, the survey results show that both political parties largely agree on these secondary regulatory measures. Roughly eight-in-ten Republicans and Democrats support parental consent requirements and time limits, while support for age verification stands at 81% for Republicans and 76% for Democrats. The consistency of support across party lines for these policies, as well as for the broader ban, suggests that the safety of minors on digital platforms is viewed as a pressing issue that transcends partisan divides. As lawmakers in various states and countries continue to debate the best path forward, this data from Pew Research Center provides a clear indication that the American public strongly desires action to address whether minors should have access to social media.