Massachusetts Voters Show Strong Support for Social Media Limits on Kids

There has been much discussion lately about government restrictions on children and social media, and Massachusetts voters appear to want to hear more about it.

Poll Shows Strong Support for Social Media Limits

A new University of New Hampshire (UNH) Survey Center poll shows "strong support among voters for legislation restricting social media use among kids and teenagers," reported State House News Service.

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and both branches of the Massachusetts Legislature have their own ideas about how much time kids spend engaging with social media sites on their cell phones and online in general.

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Lawmakers Propose Different Approaches

According to the poll, most people (72 percent) support a law that blocks social media for kids under 14 and requires parental approval for those 14 to 15. This mirrors a bill approved by the Massachusetts House that also bans students from using cell phones during the school day.

The Massachusetts Senate legislation also provides for a cell phone ban in schools, but steers clear of regulations on social media.

Governor Healey’s Plan for Social Media Rules

Healey prefers limits on social media use by kids under 18 and would require "parental consent to change default settings for users who are 15 years and younger," among other provisions, reported SHNS.

Support Crosses Party Lines

The UNH Survey Center poll found that support for social media restrictions is high across the board: 89 percent of independents, 68 percent of Democrats, and 65 percent of Republicans strongly or somewhat favor the move.

Senate President Karen Spilka has been a strong advocate for restricting cell phones in Massachusetts public schools and has rallied her fellow senators to the cause. The idea has garnered strong support from parents.

Schools Already Taking Action on Cell Phones

Many area school districts have implemented cell phone restrictions on their own.