As governments around the world debate whether to ban social media for under-16s, the question of how young people actually experience these platforms has never been more urgent.
In the UK, recent policy discussions have echoed moves in Australia and the US to restrict access to platforms like TikTok and Instagram for younger users. But what do young people themselves think about the role of social media in their lives?
Drawing on data from our UK Youth Poll, which surveyed over 2,300 people aged 16–29, we explored how young people use social media, what they see as its benefits and harms, and how it fits into their broader concerns about society and politics.
A Space for Information and Activism
Before getting into the upsides and downsides of social media usage, some of our questions gave insight into how social media is used by young people. It is the dominant way young people stay informed. When asked which sources they regularly use to keep up with news and current events, social media came out far ahead of traditional media like TV or newspapers. TikTok was the most popular platform in this regard (64%), followed by Instagram and Facebook—surprisingly still relevant among this age group.
But social media isn’t just about consuming information. It’s also a space for action. In response to the question, ‘Which of the following activities have you taken part in over the past 12 months?’ with a list of political activities as answer options, 27% of respondents said they had used social media to advocate for an issue in the past year, the second highest action after signing a petition. From climate change to racial justice, young people are using these platforms to amplify their voices and engage in civic life.
The Upsides: Connection, Education, and Empowerment
Our qualitative and quantitative data revealed several perceived benefits of social media:
- Entertainment and Mood Boosting: Many young people see social media as a source of distraction and positivity, depending on the content they engage with.
- Awareness and Education: Platforms are used to spread awareness and educate others on important issues, enabling civic and political participation.
- Community and Connectivity: Especially for those who grew up during the COVID-19 pandemic, social media has been vital for maintaining friendships and building new ones. It fosters a sense of belonging, particularly for those in marginalized or geographically isolated communities.
- Professional and Personal Growth: Social media also supports networking and access to educational content, helping young people broaden their perspectives.
The Downsides: Mental Health and Misinformation
However, the picture isn’t entirely positive. Many young people also reported significant drawbacks:
- Emotional and mental health impacts
Many young people reported that social media contributes to anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. The emotional toll varies by content, but the pressure to present a perfect life online is widespread. Unrealistic expectations and comparison culture can erode self-esteem. - Body image and harassment—especially for young women
Participants frequently mentioned the impact of body image pressures and exposure to harassing content, particularly among girls and young women. - Misinformation and echo chambers
Social media was seen as a driver of political polarization, with manipulative content and algorithmic reinforcement of extreme views reducing tolerance for differing perspectives. - News FOMO and constant connectivity
Some young people described a ‘fear of missing out’ on news, feeling pressured to stay constantly online and up-to-date, which can lead to stress and information overload. - Reduced face-to-face interaction and real-world skills
Some respondents noted that heavy social media use can hinder real-world social skills and lead to isolation. - Time drain and procrastination
While social media can be entertaining, many noted that it often distracts from meaningful activities and contributes to procrastination.
Where Social Media Ranks Among Youth Concerns
Despite these concerns, social media is not the top issue for young people. When asked what would make them happier right now, only 11% cited reduced social media use, ranking 13th in a list of 15 options. Similarly, just 12% believed that better social media regulation would improve their view of politics. Issues like affordable housing, higher wages, and inflation ranked much higher.
A Generational Divide on Regulation
One of the most debated questions in our survey asked whether social media platforms should be banned for children under the age of 16. A clear majority of respondents supported the idea:
- 30% strongly agreed
- 37% agreed somewhat
- In contrast, 19% disagreed somewhat and 9% disagreed strongly
Support for a ban varied significantly by age. The older the respondent, the more likely they were to support restrictions:
- Among 25–29-year-olds, 40% strongly agreed with the ban
- Among 18–24-year-olds, that figure dropped to 27%
- Among 16–17-year-olds, only 17% strongly agreed, while 21% strongly disagreed
Despite this generational divide, even in the youngest age group, 51% agreed overall that a ban should be in place—suggesting that concerns about early exposure to social media are shared across age brackets.
Gender differences were modest but notable. Women were slightly more likely to support a ban, with:
- 33% strongly agreeing and 39% somewhat agreeing
- Compared to 28% strongly and 36% somewhat agreeing among men
Disability status also appeared to influence responses. Among respondents with a disability, 71% supported a ban (strongly or somewhat), compared to 67% of those without a disability.
These findings suggest that while support for regulation is not universal, there is a strong and consistent desire—especially among older youth and women—for greater protections for younger users. Some participants in focus groups expressed concern for younger siblings and the long-term effects of early exposure to social media, reinforcing the idea that lived experience is shaping attitudes toward regulation.
Final Thoughts
Our findings reveal a nuanced picture of how young people relate to social media. Here are three key takeaways:
1
Social media is a powerful tool
Young people use it to stay informed, connect with others, and advocate for causes they care about. It plays a central role in their civic and personal lives. As a tool, its impact depends on how it’s used. Young people are clear-eyed about both the opportunities and the risks.
2
The harms are real—but not the top concern
While mental health impacts, misinformation, and online pressure are widely acknowledged, issues like housing, wages, and job security are seen as more urgent.
3
There’s support for regulation—especially to protect younger users
A majority support banning social media for under-16s, with older youth particularly concerned about the risks for younger siblings.
As debates around regulation continue, it’s vital that we centre young people’s voices—not just as users, but as active participants in shaping the digital world.
