A new poll finds 75% of Canadians support banning social media for kids under 16 over mental health, addiction, and online safety concerns.
Canadians Push for Social Media Limits on Teens
TORONTO — Most Canadians want stricter rules for kids online. A recent Angus Reid poll reveals that three-quarters of over 4,000 Canadians support banning social media for anyone under 16, following a model similar to Australia’s. There, platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and Threads block accounts for younger users.
Rising Concerns About Online Dangers
Canadians aren’t just worried—they’re alarmed. Nearly 94% of respondents said social media could negatively affect mental health. Addiction, excessive screen time, misinformation, cyberbullying, and online predators also ranked high among the top concerns.
These findings come shortly after a California court ruled that Meta and YouTube designed their platforms to be addictive, awarding millions to a 20-year-old woman harmed by prolonged use.
Government vs. Parental Responsibility
While most respondents favour a ban, many still believe parents should lead the charge in monitoring teen use rather than the government. The pollster described this as a “curious juxtaposition,” highlighting the tension between policy and personal responsibility.
The topic is set to be discussed at the Liberals’ national convention next month, with debates on whether tech companies should bear the burden of preventing underage users.
How the Poll Was Conducted
The survey ran online from March 11 to 17. According to the Canadian Research Insights Council, online polls cannot have a standard margin of error since participants are not randomly selected, but the results still reflect strong public sentiment on this issue.
