Jersey Poll Finds Strong Support for Social Media Ban for Under-16s

A large majority of people surveyed in Jersey say they would support a ban on social media use for children under the age of 16, according to new research.

The poll, carried out by Channel Islands market research company Island Global Research, found 72% of respondents backed introducing restrictions similar to plans being considered in the UK and Australia. Around 23% were against the idea, while 5% said they were unsure.

The survey questioned 839 people aged 16 and over in Jersey, although the research company acknowledged the sample represented only a small proportion of the island’s population and was not fully representative.

The findings come as the UK moves towards tighter controls on children’s access to social media. Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he wants restrictions on under-16s introduced by spring 2027.

Former Channel Islands data protection commissioner Emma Martins said the debate was important but warned that there were no simple solutions.

She welcomed the focus on protecting children online, describing the issue as “long overdue”, but said policymakers needed to properly understand the risks before copying measures introduced elsewhere.

Martins said discussions around social media regulation had become increasingly divided, with strong opinions on both sides.

The research showed social media use was common among younger children, with 33% of parents saying children under 10 used social media. That figure increased to 79% among children aged between 10 and 15.

Island Global Research managing director Lindsay Jefferies said the results showed a clear trend, particularly among people aged 25 and over. Women and parents were among the groups most likely to support a ban.

Participants were asked whether they believed Jersey should introduce a social media ban for under-16s using a similar approach to the UK and Australia.

Jefferies said many respondents raised concerns about the impact of social media on young people, particularly around mental health, online bullying and exposure to harmful material.

Some parents also said managing children’s social media use could be difficult because of peer pressure, with a ban potentially creating a more equal situation for families.

However, concerns were also raised about how such rules would be enforced, with many respondents questioning whether restrictions could be effectively monitored.

The survey was conducted among residents aged 16 and over across Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man and Gibraltar between 17 and 22 June 2026.