Kelli Dickerson (from left), Gillian Hayes and Candice Odgers

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.

For the full story, please visit https://phys.org/news/2025-09-poll-reveals-californians-stricter-tech.html.