The poll, which was conducted over the six days ending August 3, comes as companies like Meta Platforms and Google's YouTube face mounting legal pressure over their treatment of young users. A trial is expected to begin on Wednesday over allegations by state prosecutors that Meta designed its products to addict young users.
Meta, which denies the allegations, says it could face up to $1.4 trillion in penalties if the states prevail. A New Mexico state court on Thursday separately ordered Meta to pay $567 million into a teen mental health fund and change how its platforms function for young users, after finding the company is to blame for harming children's wellbeing.
Americans say social media is addictive but enjoyable
Tech companies are also under increasing scrutiny by lawmakers across the U.S. for their effect on youth. More than a dozen states have passed laws regulating minors' social media access, saying it is needed to bolster their safety online. NetChoice, a trade group backed by social media giants such as Meta, TikTok and Snap, has sued to stop laws requiring apps verify the ages of their users. It argues such laws violate free speech protections.
An overwhelming majority of Americans — 85% — think social media can be addictive for children, and a similar share think its use can be harmful for their mental health, the Reuters/Ipsos poll found. But Americans also say they like social media a lot, with 70% saying their time spent on the platforms is fun, while only 35% say it stressed them out.
The Reuters/Ipsos poll, which was conducted online, surveyed 4,505 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of 2 percentage points in either direction.
Poll finds broad support for tighter social media rules
A bipartisan majority of Americans support more government rules for how social media companies conduct business, including a requirement of age-verification tools to keep younger children off social media, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Some 61% of poll respondents — including 71% of Democrats and 62% of Republicans — said social media companies need firmer oversight. Support among independents was lower as many of them said they were unsure where they stood.
The poll also found 66% support laws that would require social media companies use age-verification tools to keep children under age 16 from accessing their platforms. Support was highest among Republicans, with 74% backing the idea, compared with 69% of Democrats.
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