Pure Telecom survey reveals 74% of adults in Ireland support social media ban for under-16s

Pure Telecom, the Irish-owned telecoms provider, has announced new research which shows that 74% of adults are in favour of a social media ban for under-16s. The research is part of Pure Telecom’s Connected Lives 2026 survey and comes as the UK this week announced plans to ban social media for under-16s.

Pure Telecom’s independent research, conducted by Censuswide among 1,000 adults in Ireland, explores internet usage and trends in Ireland today. The survey found that men are more likely than women to get behind a ban, with 78% saying they support it, versus 69% of women. Among parents of children aged 16 and under, 80% support a ban. This rises to 88% among parents of six-to-eight-year-olds.

While the vast majority support a ban, there are significant doubts over the practicalities of such a move. Some 50% of adults believe it is impossible to stop under-16s, regardless of any ban or parental controls, from accessing social media. What’s more, 31% believe that the responsibility ultimately lies with parents, not the Government. A larger proportion (39%), however, believe parents need Government intervention to help keep children safe.

The majority of adults also believe that social media companies themselves should bear more responsibility. Some 57% say they should be legally responsible for protecting children online.

Despite the widespread support for a social media ban for under-16s, 43% of adults admit that they think social media can be a positive outlet for some children. And, many believe that education must be a part of the solution. The majority (58%) believe schools should be teaching children how to use social media safely, if they are not already doing so, while 44% believe digital literacy would be more effective than a blanket ban.

Paul Connell, CEO, Pure Telecom, said: “Our research shows that this is a topic that adults in Ireland care deeply about, but there are mixed opinions on whether an outright ban can be effective, or if it is enough on its own. For example, 18- to 24-year-olds are the least likely age group to support a ban, but the most likely to advocate for social media safety to be taught in schools. Older adults, meanwhile, are more likely to support a ban and less likely to call for schools to be involved.

“Regardless of people individually, our research shows that a whole-society approach – which includes Government, teachers, parents and children – is the one that is preferred by the large majority.”

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