A Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that over 60 percent of Americans across party lines favor increased government oversight of social media companies, including age-verification requirements for users under 16.
A significant bipartisan consensus has emerged among American voters regarding the need for stronger government regulation of social media platforms, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in early August. The survey found that 61 percent of respondents—including 71 percent of Democrats and 62 percent of Republicans—believe social media companies require firmer oversight. Support was notably lower among independents, many of whom expressed uncertainty on the issue.
When asked specifically about age-verification requirements to restrict access for children under 16, support increased to 66 percent overall, with Republican backing reaching 74 percent and Democratic support at 69 percent. The polling comes amid escalating legal challenges facing major platforms. Meta faces a potential $1.4 trillion penalty in an ongoing state lawsuit alleging the company deliberately designed products to addict young users, which the company denies. Additionally, a New Mexico court recently ordered Meta to contribute $567 million to a teen mental health fund and modify platform functions affecting minors.
The survey also revealed broad concerns about social media's impact on youth wellbeing. Eighty-five percent of respondents believe social media can be addictive for children, while a similar proportion expressed worry about its effects on mental health. However, Americans maintain complicated relationships with these platforms themselves, with 70 percent reporting their social media use as enjoyable, while only 35 percent experience stress from it.
Despite public support for regulation, the U.S. Congress has not yet enacted comprehensive legislation protecting minors on social media. The industry has mounted legal opposition, with NetChoice—a trade group representing Meta, TikTok, and Snap—challenging state age-verification laws on free speech grounds. The poll surveyed 4,505 adults online with a margin of error of 2 percentage points.
