A majority of people in Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar support the introduction of a social media ban for under-16s, according to new research by Island Global Research.
The poll, conducted between 17 and 22 June, found that support for a ban was highest in Jersey, where 72% of respondents said they would back the measure. Support stood at 63% in Guernsey, 62% in the Isle of Man and 64% in Gibraltar.
The survey was completed by 839 people in Jersey, 849 in Guernsey, 619 in the Isle of Man and 70 in Gibraltar. Respondents were asked whether a social media ban for under-16s, based on the same model as those being introduced in the UK and Australia, should be adopted in their jurisdiction.
In Jersey, support for the proposal was strongest among parents, with 80% of those with children under the age of 18 backing a ban, compared with 64% of respondents without children. Women were also more likely to support the measure than men, with 77% in favour compared with 64%.
The findings also highlighted the extent to which younger children are already using social media platforms. In Jersey, 33% of parents said their children under the age of 10 use social media, rising to 79% among children aged between 10 and 15. Comparable figures were reported in Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
Support for a ban was generally lower among younger adults. In Jersey, 64% of respondents aged 16 to 24 opposed the proposal, although the sample size for that age group was relatively small. Similar patterns were recorded in Guernsey and the Isle of Man.
The results come amid growing international debate about the impact of social media on young people’s wellbeing, online safety and mental health, with a number of jurisdictions considering tighter restrictions on access for children and teenagers.
