Under-16s should not have social media - Gen Z poll

Two-thirds of young adults in the UK believe social media should be banned for under-16s, a survey has found.

- ALEX CROFT

The UK Youth Poll survey saw more than 2,000 people aged 16 to 29 questioned about their attitudes and priorities covering topics such as toxic masculinity, democracy, job security and immigration.

Around 67 per cent of respondents believe social media should be banned for under-16s. The same proportion said toxic masculinity is becoming more common, according to the survey carried out by the University of Glasgow’s John Smith Centre (JSC).

It found that young people are “concerned” with the state of democracy in the UK. Those surveyed back democracy over dictatorship by 57 per cent to 27 per cent, but 63 per cent believe it is “in trouble” and nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) said it has become “too divided”.

More than half (51 per cent) believe immigration has changed communities for the better, while nearly 73 per cent said they believe racism is a “significant issue” in the UK.