A new national survey conducted by Leger shows strong public support in Canada for restricting children’s access to social media platforms and AI chatbots, reflecting rising concern over the influence of digital technologies on young people’s mental health and development.
The survey finds that 83% of Canadians are worried about the potential harmful effects of social media on children and teenagers. An almost equally high 81% express concern about AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot, highlighting growing unease not only about traditional social platforms but also about emerging artificial intelligence tools. Concerns are particularly pronounced among women and Canadians aged 55 and older, who show higher levels of support for stricter regulation.
The findings emerge at a time when policymakers across Canada are actively debating how to regulate youth access to online services. The federal Liberal Party has recently adopted a non-binding resolution proposing 16 as the minimum age for creating social media accounts. The federal government has also indicated that it is “very seriously” considering additional restrictions aimed at protecting minors online.
At the provincial level, governments are also exploring their own measures. Manitoba is moving toward potential restrictions on both social media platforms and AI chatbot use for children, while British Columbia is urging Ottawa to take the lead in establishing nationwide rules for youth online safety. These parallel efforts reflect growing pressure for coordinated action across jurisdictions.
Internationally, Canada’s debate is unfolding alongside similar policy shifts elsewhere, including Australia, which has already implemented restrictions barring users under 16 from accessing social media platforms. As concerns about online safety, age verification, and platform accountability intensify globally, Canada is increasingly becoming part of a broader policy movement aimed at reshaping how young people interact with digital technologies.