- Sixty-four percent of American voters support banning social media for children under 16, while 69% favor removing cellphones from K-12 classrooms, reflecting growing concerns over youth mental health and digital harms.
- Republicans show stronger support (73%) than Democrats (56%) for social media bans. Parents across political lines mirror national sentiment, with 64% endorsing restrictions.
- Australia's strict new law bars under-16s from social media, with fines up to $32M for non-compliant platforms. U.S. lawmakers are under pressure to follow suit amid Senate hearings on Big Tech's exploitation of young users.
- Critics argue tech self-policing has failed, citing rising teen depression, cyberbullying and screen addiction. Proposed solutions include federal age verification, stricter penalties for violations and classroom phone bans.
- Australia's policy sets a precedent as U.S. voters push for action. The debate over youth screen time has shifted from fringe concern to mainstream urgency, signaling potential legislative changes ahead.
A sweeping majority of American voters—64%—support banning social media for children under 16, according to a new Fox News poll that highlights escalating concerns about the impact of digital platforms on youth mental health and development.
The survey, conducted among 1,001 registered voters, also found that 69% favor removing cellphones from K-12 classrooms, signaling a growing consensus for stricter digital safeguards.
The findings arrive as Australia enforces one of the world's toughest social media age restrictions, barring anyone under 16 from holding accounts on platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Instagram.
As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch, Australia has enacted a social media ban prohibiting children under 16 from accessing platforms, enforcing invasive age verification systems under threat of massive fines—a move critics warn will push minors toward riskier online spaces while violating privacy rights, all under the guise of "protection" while advancing government surveillance.
Meanwhile, with bipartisan momentum building in the U.S., lawmakers, parents and advocacy groups are increasingly pushing for legislative action to curb what many see as an unchecked crisis.
A bipartisan issue with partisan divides
While support for social media restrictions spans party lines, Republicans show stronger backing than Democrats. The poll found:
- 73% of Republicans support banning social media for teens under 16, compared to 56% of Democrats.
- 81% of Republicans favor removing cellphones from schools, while 59% of Democrats agree.
Parents, regardless of political affiliation, mirrored national sentiment, with 64% supporting the social media ban and 63% backing classroom phone restrictions.
"The data is clear: parents and voters are deeply concerned about the effects of social media on kids," said a child safety advocate. "Now, it's time for policymakers to take action."
Australia's Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act, which took effect on Dec. 10, imposes fines up to $32 million on platforms that fail to enforce age verification. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese framed the law as a necessary shield against algorithmic manipulation and peer pressure.
In the U.S., lawmakers have intensified scrutiny of Big Tech, with Senate hearings probing whether platforms exploit young users. An April 2025 Pew Research report found nearly half of U.S. teens believe social media harms their age group, while Gallup (2023) revealed teens spend 4.8 daily hours on average across seven platforms.
The push for policy changes
The poll underscores a shift in public demand for regulation. Critics argue self-policing by tech firms has failed, pointing to rising teen depression, cyberbullying and screen addiction. Advocates urge measures like:
- Federal age verification mandates
- Stronger penalties for platforms violating child safety laws
- Classroom phone bans to reduce distractions
Yet skeptics warn of enforcement challenges and privacy risks tied to digital ID systems.
As global precedents mount and bipartisan support grows, the U.S. appears at a crossroads. With Australia's bold restrictions in place and American voters overwhelmingly favoring action, pressure is building for lawmakers to translate concern into policy—potentially reshaping how the next generation interacts with technology.
The Fox News poll, conducted Dec. 12-15, has a margin of error of ±3%. Whether these findings spur legislative momentum remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the debate over kids and screens is no longer fringe—it's mainstream.
Watch the video below that talks about Australia's social media ban.
This video is from the GANG STALKING AUSTRALIA channel on Brighteon.com.
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