Massachusetts Voters Support Social Media Ban for Children

A University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll shows that 72% of Massachusetts voters support legislation to ban social media for children under 14 and require parental consent for those aged 14 to 15. The poll, conducted between April 16 and April 20 among 721 residents, indicates strong cross-party consensus, with 89% of independents, 68% of Democrats, and 65% of Republicans favoring the restrictions.

This public sentiment follows a decisive April 8 vote by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, which passed bill H 5366 with a 129-25 margin. The legislation proposes age-based social media restrictions and mandates a ban on student cellphone use during the school day.

Governor Maura Healey has expanded the state's regulatory approach by introducing complementary legislation, H 5377, via a supplemental budget. Her proposal seeks to limit social media use for all individuals under 18, ban addictive algorithms that target youth, and require parental consent for users 15 and younger to change default account settings. These combined legislative efforts represent a move to curb the psychological impact of social media and digital distractions in educational environments.