State govt survey finds 9 in 10 parents want under-16s banned from social media

Parents have overwhelmingly backed age limits stopping kids ­accessing social media until they hit 16, according to a state government survey of more than 21,000 people.

Parents have overwhelmingly backed age limits stopping kids ­accessing social media until they hit 16, according to a state government survey of more than 21,000 people.

The survey found that the vast majority of teens aged 13 to 15 are spending hours on ­social media every day, with more than a third of those surveyed reporting that social media was having a “negative” or “very negative” impact on their children’s lives.

Respondents to the statewide survey overwhelmingly backed age limits on social media, with most saying that kids should be kept off the apps until they hit 16.

Almost nine in 10 respondents (87 per cent) believed kids should be banned from ­social media, as campaigned for by The Daily Telegraph’s Let Them Be Kids campaign.

And the survey showed that it was not just parents who agreed with an age limit. Of those aged 16-17 who responded to the survey, 85 per cent backed age restrictions. For 18-24 year olds, 86 per cent agreed with a minimum age.

Parents and teenagers agree there should be a ban on under-16s accessing social media.

The most commonly suggested age at which kids should be allowed to access social media apps was 16. The only cohort who disagreed were 16 and 17-year-olds themselves, who suggested a minimum age of 13.

Even a majority of teenagers said that social media distracted them from schoolwork and family obligations.

The Daily Telegraph’s Let Them Be Kids campaign wants social media to be restricted to people aged 16 and older.

Those aged between 16 and 24 reported social media addiction as a common worry, along with excessive screen time.

The more time children spent on social media, the worse the impact was on their lives, parents said.

Exposure to harmful content, cyber security risks, and concerns about impacts on behaviour were the most frequently identified problems associated with social media.

The survey, which garnered the largest response to a state government public consultation to date, will inform the upcoming Social Media Summit to be held by the NSW and South Australian governments.

Premier Chris Minns said the survey responses would guide discussion at the upcoming Social Media Summit. Picture: Damian Shaw

Premier Chris Minns said the message from the community about social media use was “clear”.

“The huge response to this survey sends a powerful message about the extent of community concern,” he said.

“Parents and children are rightly concerned about this giant global unregulated experiment on young people.

“The feedback we’ve received will guide discussions at the Social Media Summit and help the government as we respond to the harmful aspects of social media.”

The Social Media Summit will take place in both Sydney and Adelaide next week.

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