Majority of Canadians Support Social Media Ban for Youth
OTTAWA – A new poll shows that most Canadians would support banning children under 16 from using social media, following Australia’s lead in November 2024.
The Angus Reid Institute released the survey on Monday, revealing that 75 per cent of Canadians back a full ban on social media for those under 16. Support among parents with children in the household remains strong at 70 per cent.
Regional support varied slightly, with British Columbia showing the highest approval at 81 per cent, followed by Alberta at 77 per cent. Other provinces also showed significant backing: Saskatchewan 70 per cent, Manitoba 72 per cent, Ontario 74 per cent, Quebec 73 per cent, and Atlantic provinces 76 per cent.
Social Media Challenges for Young People
A September 2025 Ipsos poll across 30 countries found that 71 per cent of respondents believe children under 14 should not have social media access. Among parents with school-age children, support reached 74 per cent. Additionally, 25 per cent identified social media as a top challenge for young people.
The Angus Reid Institute highlighted growing concerns about children’s online safety. Canadians expressed worry over misinformation (92 per cent), cyberbullying (90 per cent), explicit content (85 per cent), mental health effects (94 per cent), and addiction (94 per cent).
Platforms Under Scrutiny
Surveyed Canadians identified TikTok (88 per cent), X/Twitter (86 per cent), and Snapchat (84 per cent) as platforms that should be restricted for under-16s. Nearly half (48 per cent) also supported banning YouTube for younger users.
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