A recent survey carried out by Studyclix has shown that there is significant support for a social media ban for under-16s.
In a poll of almost 1,800 fourth, fifth, and sixth year students, half of those students back a social media ban for under 16s. Eight in 10 students believe phones have a negative impact on study time.
Along with a range of other findings, the Studyclix survey revealed that 70 per cent of senior cycle students believe social media is harmful for teenagers, while 81 per cent say that exposure to social media makes studying harder. 82 per cent said they would prefer less screen time, with a third reporting that they spend more than five hours on their phones each day.
Studyclix CEO and former teacher Luke Saunders said the results of the survey are "striking".
"It is striking that half of senior cycle students support a social media ban for younger teens. It suggests older senior cycle students feel they were exposed to social media too early and want stricter boundaries for those following them. Whether a ban is workable is another question, but the concern among students is real."
The survey reveals a desire among students to restrict their phone usage, with 82 per cent saying they would like less screen time.
"Students are very self-aware about the impact of social media. That 70 per cent say it’s harmful, and more than 80 per cent want less screen time, tells us that young people themselves recognise the problem," outlined Saunders.
The Government recently announced plans to introduce legislation restricting social media access for under-16s as part of its new digital and artificial intelligence strategy. The move comes in the context of increasing interest in social media age limits from governments in France and Spain.
Saunders believes that parents have to take responsibility to enforce the ban if it comes to fruition.
"Setting age limits for social media use is one thing, enforcing them is another," said Saunders.
"Any meaningful social media restriction has to start with parents. Giving a child a smartphone at age 12 and expecting them to stay off social media until they turn 16 isn’t realistic. As a parent community, we need to reflect on whether we’re introducing smartphones too early."
