64% of Americans Support Banning Teenagers from Social Media

A recent Fox News poll finds that about two-thirds of American voters and parents support the idea of ​​banning teens under 16 from social media and removing cell phones from K-12 classrooms.

A new Fox News poll has highlighted growing concern among American voters and parents about the impact of social media and cell phone use on children. The survey, which included interviews with 1,001 registered voters, found that 64 percent of participants supported banning social media for children under 16, while 35 percent opposed it. Interestingly, the numbers remained consistent among parents, with 64 percent supporting the ban and 36 percent opposing it.

The poll results also highlighted a partisan divide on the issue, with 73 percent of Republicans supporting the social media ban, compared to 56 percent of Democrats. This suggests that while there is broad support for protecting children from the potential dangers of social media, Republicans are more likely to advocate for stricter regulations.

In addition to the social media ban, the survey asked participants what they thought about banning cell phones in K-12 classrooms. A staggering 69 percent supported the idea, while only 31 percent opposed it. Among parents, 63 percent supported banning cell phones in the classroom and 37 percent opposed it. Once again, Republicans showed greater support for the measure, with 81 percent supporting the ban compared to 59 percent of Democrats.

The release of the Fox News poll follows landmark Australian legislation, which came into force on December 10, 2025. The new law, known as the Online Safety Amendment (Social Media Minimum Age) Act, prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from having a social media account, making it one of the strictest online safety rules in the world. Platforms banned in Australia include popular sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

Breitbart News previously reported on the ban taking effect:

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made a final effort to convince teenagers it was for their own good in the hours before the ban began.

“From December 10, if you are under 16, you are no longer allowed to have an account on social media,” he said in a video message. “You will know better than anyone what it is like to grow up with algorithms, endless feeds and the pressure that can come with it.

“That’s why we’ve taken this step to support you.”

In the United States, lawmakers from both parties have warned of the potential risks associated with children’s use of social media, with some calling for stricter age restrictions and stricter liability rules for social media platforms.

Recent studies have further highlighted the need for action on this issue. An April 2025 Pew Research Center report found that nearly half of U.S. teens believe social media has a mostly negative effect on people their age. Additionally, a 2023 Gallup survey found that 51% of U.S. teens spend at least four hours per day on social media, with the average teen spending 4.8 hours on seven major platforms.

Read more from Fox News here.

Lucas Nolan is a reporter for Breitbart News covering issues of free speech and online censorship.