Generation Z are becoming disillusioned with social media and four out of five vow to ban their own children from using it for as long as possible, a survey has found.
Half of those aged 16 to 24 are annoyed at the hours they allocated to their phone as a child while a third wish they had waited longer before using online platforms.
Gen Z, those born between 1996 and 2010, are the first generation to have grown up with the internet since infancy.
Luke Tryl, director at polling company More In Common which carried out the research, said: ‘Many Gen Z Britons regret the time they spent on their devices.
‘The demand for the Government to take action to better protect children from the harms of social media spans young Britons and the public at large.’
The study, of more than 1,600 young adults produced in partnership with think tank The New Britain Project, found that three-quarters want stronger rules to safeguard youngsters.
In addition, social media was named as the most negative influence on the mental health of teenagers.
Meanwhile, half of those polled said social media had become worse in the past five years with two-thirds saying it had become less safe.
Gen Z, those born between 1996 and 2010, are the first generation to have grown up with the internet since infancy
Generation Z are becoming disillusioned with social media and four out of five vow to ban their own children from using it for as long as possible
In general, female respondents were more negative about social media than males.
The research has been published as MPs prepare to debate a private members’ Bill from Labour MP Josh MacAlister that looks at boosting smartphone safety for children.
The Safer Phones Bill will call for the Government to publish a plan for research into the impact of the use of social media on children. Anna McShane, director of The New Britain Project, said: ‘This polling leaves no room for doubt.
‘We regulate other industries that pose risks to young people, why should social media be any different? If we fail to act now, we are ignoring the voices of the very generation that has lived through its worst effects.’
The results of this research follow recent polling by Girlguiding, the UK’s largest youth organisation, that found more than a quarter of teenagers have seen a sexualised deepfake of a celebrity, friend or teacher.
Deepfakes are images or videos generated by artificial intelligence using the faces of real-world people.
Some 58 per cent of 13-year-olds said they know what a deepfake is, rising to 62 per cent for all teenagers.
A Department for Science, Innovation and Technology spokesman said: ‘We are committed to keeping young people safe online whilst also ensuring they can benefit from the latest technology.
‘By the summer, robust new protections for children will be in force through the Online Safety Act to protect them from harmful content and ensure they have an age-appropriate experience online.
‘The Government’s response to the private members’ Bill will follow during the second reading of the Bill, as per the parliamentary process.’
