Australian, US Parents Support a Social Media Ban but Their Children Don’t, New Study Finds

A new survey conducted in the United States and Australia reveals sharp generational divides in support for an under-16 social media ban and in beliefs about government enforcement.

The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) commissioned Ipsos to interview 4,000 parents and children aged 10 to 17.

The findings reveal strong parental support for such bans, in contrast to widespread concern from children who fear losing friendships and support systems that primarily exist online.

Support among parents was 65 percent in Australia and 58 percent in the United States, while only 38 percent of Australian children and 36 percent of young Americans were in favour.

“This gap raises a central question for policymakers. Why do parents and children view the potential impact so differently, and what might be lost if children’s concerns are overlooked?” FOSI asks in its report.

“For many children, social media can play a meaningful role in their daily lives, offering a place to stay connected, share experiences, and feel part of a wider community.

“Losing access to those spaces raises important questions about how young people will continue nurturing the relationships and support system they rely on. This cultural context, along with [widespread opposition to the ban from young people] highlights an emotional dimension of the ban that many parents may underestimate.”

The division between children and their parents on this issue is equally as stark.

In Australia, 56 percent of young people cited this concern, as did 53 percent of their U.S. counterparts. But the figures for parents were 36 and 35 percent, respectively.

FOSI describes the gap as “incredibly important, as it shows that social media plays a role in children’s lives that parents may not be fully grasping. To many children, social media is not just memes and games; it’s a key part of their connection and communication with the outside world.”

“This concern has especially come to the forefront in rural areas of Australia, where it can be more difficult to form and maintain in-person connections,” the report notes.

“While this ban is more of an abstract concept in the U.S., this would potentially be cause for concern in rural or unwalkable parts of the country.”

Will Reducing Social Media Time Improve Health?

Some parents support a ban because they hope it will protect children’s mental health. However, parents and children also disagree on whether this will actually happen.

A total of 52 percent of U.S. parents and 42 percent of those in Australia agree, but children themselves are less convinced—only 43 percent of U.S. and 33 percent of Australian children hold this view.

“These mixed views show that families see the mental health conversation as complicated and deeply personal,” FOSI says.

“As the under-16s ban takes effect in Australia, tracking the mental health trends of the children affected should be a key component of further research.”

Both age groups share similar beliefs about whether a social media ban would reduce overall screen time. A total of 55 percent of U.S. parents and 47 percent of Australian parents believe it would decrease, and nearly half of children in both countries agree.

“While reducing screen time is one of the most common arguments for the ban, it is important to note that not all screen time is equal,” the Institute’s report notes.

“Many children use social media not only for entertainment but also for communication, schoolwork, creativity, and support.”

However, the majority of children say they would spend more time on other digital platforms, including video games or text messaging, indicating the total screen time may remain the same.

Children Likely to Bypass Restrictions

Another area of alignment is the belief that young people are tech-savvy and will therefore find ways around the ban.

In the United States, 53 percent, and in Australia, 54 percent of parents believe their children could work around the ban. Among children ages 10 to 15 (those affected by the Australian ban), 45 percent of those in Australia and 53 percent of those in the United States say they could do so.

One of the strongest areas of consensus across all four groups is the idea of creating special teen accounts with stronger protections and guardrails.

A total of 77 percent of U.S. parents, 74 percent of Australian parents, 80 percent of U.S. children, and 77 percent of Australian children support this approach.

“These findings suggest that families are looking for solutions that prioritise safety without removing social media altogether,” the report says. “The strong support for teen accounts indicates that both parents and children prefer safer, age-appropriate options rather than an outright ban.”

Alanna Powers O’Brien, director of research and education at FOSI, pointed out that only one-third of children support the ban.

“Many are worried about losing friendships and support they rely on every day. Their concerns should not be overlooked,” she said.