Poll: More adults agree on what to do about kids’ social media use, not sure about school shootings

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray TV Iowa State Capitol Bureau) - Lawmakers across the country are looking at ways that they feel could better protect children from the dangers of social media use and to prevent more school shootings.

For example, Florida has a new law that bans children under 16 from having social media accounts. Iowa Republican legislators are looking at plans that could make arming teachers and staff easier and provide more money for security at schools.

The Grinnell College National Poll released last week shows that a majority of the 1,005 adult respondents agree on what to do about kids’ social media use but there isn’t a consensus on what to do about school shootings.

See the full results of the Grinnell College National Poll here.

Children under 16 should not be allowed to use social media platforms, according to 55% of the poll’s respondents. That number climbs to 65% for respondents who have children living at home.

57% of the adults in the poll favored banning students’ smartphones in schools.

School safety was another aspect of the poll. But it’s an area where adults were divided on what idea would keep students safer following school shootings across the country.

Additional security at schools would be a preferred option for some respondents. In fact, hiring armed guards earned the highest number: 44%. But arming teachers had the least support among the five options: 28%.