A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that a bipartisan majority of Americans support more government rules for social media companies, including a requirement for age-verification tools to keep younger children off social media.

Concerns Over Social Media’s Impact on Children

The poll, conducted over 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 over allegations by state prosecutors that Meta designed its products to addict young users.

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 to 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 to 69% of Democrats.

Parental Rights and Social Media Regulation

James Bosserdet, a 60-year-old mechanical engineer from Tennessee, said he mostly wants the U.S. government to have a smaller role in Americans’ lives, but that cracking down on social media companies is an exception. “Somebody’s got to do it,” he said, referring to setting restrictions on social media for kids.

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.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.