The vast majority of the British public would support a ban on social media for under-16s, according to a new survey from The Harris Poll UK.
According to the group’s survey of 1,000 UK adults, as many as 78% were supportive of a ban, similar to legislation brought in by Australia that came into effect last December.
There has been a growing international movement to stop children from accessing social media, which is seen by critics as both addictive and a source of emotional harm to young people.
As well as Australia, specific measures have either been brought in or are in discussion to stop children using social media in Spain, France and Malaysia, Greece and more.
The UK is increasingly looking likely to be one of the next countries to implement a ban, with cross-party support from the likes of Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Labour Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham.
Even Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said that he would support a ban if evidence collected from consultations and studies deems it necessary.
Despite clear support for the ban in the UK seen in the new poll, a similar majority has doubts that it could be effectively enforced.
According to the survey, 72% expect teenagers to find workarounds and 75% believe under-16s would lie about their age or use some form of fake ID.
Just over two-thirds (67%) also expressed concern that a ban could push young people towards more dangerous online spaces that do not follow regulation.
“Banning under-16s from social media may feel like a clear and decisive solution, but the public is already sceptical about whether it would work,” said Steve Brockway, chief research officer at The Harris Poll.
“What emerges is not opposition to protecting children (far from it) but concern that a ban alone is unlikely to deliver real safety.
“The public is sending a clear signal that simply chasing bans is a distraction. Behaviour will reroute, workarounds will flourish, and the risks will simply move elsewhere, until policymakers confront the systemic design choices driving harm through accountability.”
Read more: Lessons from Australia ahead of a potential UK under-16s social media ban
