{"id":323234,"date":"2026-07-01T09:53:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T13:53:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?post_type=short-read&p=323234"},"modified":"2026-07-01T09:53:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T13:53:44","slug":"majority-of-americans-support-banning-social-media-for-kids-under-16","status":"publish","type":"short-read","link":"https:\/\/beta.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2026\/07\/01\/majority-of-americans-support-banning-social-media-for-kids-under-16\/","title":{"rendered":"Majority of Americans support banning social media for kids under 16"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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(MoMo Productions\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nearly six-in-ten U.S. adults support banning anyone under the age of 16 from using social media sites, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. The survey comes as governments around the world weigh new restrictions<\/a> on teens\u2019 use of social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About this research<\/summary>\n

This Pew Research Center analysis looks at Americans\u2019 views around policies aimed at banning or limiting minors\u2019 use of social media platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Pew Research Center does research to inform the public, journalists and decision-makers. This research builds on our past work studying views and social media policies for minors<\/a>, as well as teens\u2019 uses<\/a>, views and experiences<\/a> with social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did we do this?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We surveyed 9,750 U.S. adults from May 26 to June 1, 2026. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center\u2019s American Trends Panel. The survey represents the views of the full U.S. adult population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the questions we used for this analysis<\/a>, the topline<\/a> and the survey methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n

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Nearly 6 in 10 Americans<\/strong> support a social media ban for those under 16<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
% of U.S. adults who say they would __ a ban that prevents anyone under the age of 16 from using social media sites<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\"Chart\"<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Note: Those who did not answer are not shown.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted May 26-June 1, 2026.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
PEW RESEARCH CENTER<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Share this chart<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t