A bipartisan majority of Americans support increased government regulation of social media companies, including the implementation of age-verification tools to restrict access for minors, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll. The poll, conducted in the week ending August 3, comes as major platforms like Meta Platforms and Google's YouTube face escalating legal challenges concerning their impact on young users.
At least one state has already ordered Meta to pay into a teen mental health fund and alter its platform functions for young users, finding the company responsible for harming children's well-being. More than a dozen states have enacted laws to regulate minors' access to social media, citing the need to enhance online safety. Tech industry trade groups have challenged these laws, arguing they infringe upon free speech protections.
Nationally, 61% of poll respondents, encompassing 71% of Democrats and 62% of Republicans, believe social media companies require more stringent oversight. Support for requiring social media companies to use age-verification tools to prevent children under 16 from accessing their platforms stands at 66%, with a higher percentage of Republicans (74%) backing the idea compared to Democrats (69%).
An overwhelming 85% of Americans believe social media can be addictive for children, and a similar proportion feel its use can negatively affect mental health. Despite these concerns, a majority of respondents find their time on social media enjoyable, with 70% reporting it as fun, while only 35% experience stress from its use. The poll indicated a division on usage habits, with 52% believing they spend too much time on social media daily, and 43% disagreeing.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 4,505 U.S. adults online and has a margin of error of 2 percentage points. This survey reflects public sentiment as legislative bodies and courts continue to grapple with the influence and regulation of social media platforms on youth.