UC Irvine poll: Californians support stricter tech regulations for children

• 2,143 California adults were surveyed
• 82 percent support the Phone-Free Schools Act, which requires public schools to restrict student smartphone use during school hours.
• 73 percent support a social media ban for children under 16

Irvine, Calif., Sept. 10, 2025 - A new poll of 2,143 California adults conducted by University of California, Irvine researchers reveals overwhelming bipartisan support for stricter regulations on children's use of digital technology, including school smartphone restrictions and social media age limits.

"There are very few issues with this level of bipartisan support in today's polarized policy environment, but the message from parents and other adults in our poll was clear and crossed party lines. Adults are worried about the impacts of smartphones and social media on children's learning and mental health," said the survey's authors, Kelli Dickerson, research scientist and lead investigator of the study; Gillian Hayes, the Kleist Professor of informatics; and Candice Odgers, Chancellor's Professor of psychology.

The study found that 82 percent of Californians support the Phone-Free Schools Act, which requires public schools to adopt policies to restrict student smartphone use during school hours by July 2026. Support crossed party lines, with 84 percent of Republicans, 81 percent of Democrats, and 80 percent of Independents backing the measure.

Other findings include:

• 73 percent of Californians surveyed support banning social media for children under 16, with supporters citing youth safety, well-being and the need to encourage more offline activities.
• While support for a social media ban was high, many Californians may not fully realize which platforms a ban may affect. For example, nearly half of Californians did not consider YouTube a form of social media, despite it being the most widely used platform among youth.
• 61 percent favor allowing generative AI in schools with clear guardrails. However, fewer than half of Californians expressed moderate to complete trust in local, state or federal government, or in technology companies, to make decisions about children and artificial intelligence.

"This research reveals a clear mandate from California families for stronger digital safeguards for children," Dickerson said. "However, the findings also highlight critical challenges ahead - from confusion about what platforms would actually be regulated to a troubling lack of trust in any institution to effectively oversee these technologies. Policymakers need to address these gaps if they want regulations that are both effective and enforceable."

The poll revealed some variation in support based on demographics. Parents of minors showed slightly less support for school smartphone restrictions (74 percent) compared to non-parents (87 percent), and support increased with education and income levels. However, backing for social media age restrictions remained consistent across all demographic groups.

The majority (88 percent) of those who supported school smartphone restrictions cited reducing classroom distractions as the main reason driving their support. For social media age restrictions, over 70 percent of supporters cited concerns about excessive technology use and encouraged offline activities, improving mental health and reducing exposure to harmful content.

Those who opposed school smartphone restrictions primarily cited the need to maintain parent-child communication, with 81 percent of opponents wanting to ensure children can reach parents during emergencies. Most opponents (71 percent) of social media age restrictions believed that parents should decide whether their child uses social media.

The research comes as California continues to lead national conversations about technology regulation. The Phone-Free Schools Act is set to take effect in 2026, and legislative discussions continue about social media age verification and AI oversight in educational settings.

While the study found broad support across the political spectrum for regulation, Hayes said it also uncovered a significant trust deficit in who should be charged with regulatory oversight.

"Young people spend much of their time in digital spaces not designed for them, and there's growing recognition of the need for stronger safeguards," Hayes said. "However, effective regulation will require not only clearer communication and transparency but also trusted institutions to lead these efforts in partnership with caregivers, educators and young people."

The study was produced by CERES (Connecting the EdTech Research EcoSystem) and UC Irvine's School of Social Ecology.

About UC Irvine's Brilliant Future campaign: Publicly launched on Oct. 4, 2019, the Brilliant Future campaign aims to raise awareness and support for UCI. By engaging 75,000 alumni and garnering $2 billion in philanthropic investment, UCI seeks to reach new heights of excellence in student success, health and wellness, research and more. The School of Social Ecology plays a vital role in the success of the campaign. Learn more by visiting https://brilliantfuture.uci.edu/uci-school-of-social-ecology/.

About CERES: The CERES network is advancing dynamic, collaborative, and innovative research with real-world impact. CERES leverages strategic partnerships and cutting-edge methodologies to drive meaningful solutions that improve outcomes for children. CERES uses technology-driven solutions to ensure all children, regardless of socioeconomic background, have the resources and support they need to thrive. Learn more at ceres.uci.edu.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It's located in one of the world's safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County's second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit https://www.uci.edu.

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