According to a new national survey conducted by Leger, a strong majority of Canadians support restricting children’s access to social media and AI chatbots, with concern about the impact of these tools on young people reaching more than eight in ten.
The survey finds that 83% of Canadians are concerned about the potential negative impact of social media on children and teenagers, while 81% say the same about AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Copilot. Concern is especially high among women and Canadians aged 55 and older.
Youth Access to Social Media Is Becoming a Growing Policy Debate in Canada
The findings come as Canadian governments increasingly consider how to regulate youth access to online platforms. Federal Liberals recently adopted a non-binding resolution calling for 16 to become the minimum age for social media accounts, while Ottawa has said it is “very seriously” considering youth social media restrictions.
Provinces are also weighing their own approaches, with Manitoba moving toward restrictions on social media and AI chatbots for children and B.C. calling for federal leadership on youth online safety.
Internationally, Australia has already implemented under-16 social media restrictions, making Canada part of a growing global debate about youth, online safety, age verification, and platform accountability.
Canadians Favour a Minimum Age for Social Media and AI Chatbots
When asked what the minimum age should be for children to independently access online tools, Canadians clearly favour restrictions.
For social media, 32% say the minimum age should be 16, while 29% say it should be 17 or older. Only 5% say social media should not be restricted by age.
For AI chatbots, Canadians are even more likely to favour a higher age threshold. Four in ten say the minimum age should be 17 or older, while 26% say it should be 16. Only 6% say access to AI chatbots should not be restricted by age.
The finding comes as some Canadian parents are questioning whether an Australia-style social media ban would work in Canada, even as public support for age restrictions remains high.
Seven in Ten Support a Ban for Children Under 16
Seven in ten Canadians, 70%, support banning social media access for children under 16, including 44% who strongly support such a ban. Support for banning AI chatbots for children under 16 is nearly identical, at 69%, including 41% who strongly support it.
Support is higher among Canadians aged 55 and older, with 74% supporting a ban on social media and 74% supporting a ban on AI chatbots for children under 16.
However, Canadians with children under 16 in the household are more likely to express some hesitation. They are more likely to strongly oppose banning social media for children under 16 and more likely to oppose banning AI chatbots.
Canadians Prefer a National Approach
As provinces consider their own rules around youth access to social media and AI tools, Canadians are more likely to favour a national standard.
A majority, 55%, believe rules should be set at the federal level to ensure consistency across the country. Nearly one-quarter, 24%, say regulation should remain a provincial responsibility, while 21% are unsure.
Concerns About Learning Tools Are Present, But Not Dominant
While some Canadians worry that banning AI tools for youth under 16 could limit access to resources for learning, communication, or creativity, a majority are not concerned about that possibility.
Overall, 53% say they are not concerned that a ban would limit youth access to useful AI tools, while 39% are concerned. Canadians aged 18 to 34 and those with children under 16 in the household are more likely to be concerned about limiting access to useful tools.
Canadians Are Skeptical That Platforms Can Enforce Age Rules
Despite strong support for restrictions, Canadians are not convinced that social media and AI companies can enforce them effectively.
Six in ten Canadians, 60%, say they are not confident platforms could implement effective age verification and enforcement measures if a ban on social media and AI tools for children under 16 were put in place. Only 31% say they are confident.
This skepticism is especially high among Canadians aged 55 and older, with 72% saying they are not confident companies could enforce age verification effectively.
Methodology
This online survey was conducted among 1,848 Canadians aged 18 or older from May 1 to May 4, 2026. Respondents were recruited through Leger’s LEO online panel and had the option of completing the survey in English or French.
Results were weighted by age, gender, mother tongue, region, education, and presence of children in the household to ensure a representative sample of the Canadian population.
A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error no greater than ±2.28%, 19 times out of 20.
