Poll Shows Overwhelming Canadian Support for Social Media Age Restrictions
New polling data released by a coalition of children's health-care groups indicates that an overwhelming majority of Canadians are in favor of establishing a minimum age requirement for social media use and creating a regulatory body to oversee technology platforms. The survey, commissioned by the Safer Online Spaces Coalition, comes as advocates intensify their calls for the government to take decisive action on online safety issues.
Advocates Demand Government Action on Online Harms
Dr. Charlotte Moore Hepburn, a pediatrician involved in the coalition, expressed deep concern about the current state of online regulation. "It is actually breathtaking as a pediatrician to see the online environment remain an unregulated space," she stated, highlighting the urgent need for protective measures. The poll results are being presented to Prime Minister Mark Carney's administration, which is currently evaluating options to address online safety amidst growing public pressure.
Carol Todd, founder of a non-profit organization named after her daughter Amanda Todd—whose tragic death in 2012 brought international attention to online sextortion—shared her frustration. "As a parent, as an educator, as a human in Canada, I'm very frustrated," Todd said, emphasizing the emotional toll of inaction on online harms.
Detailed Poll Findings on Social Media Regulation
The Leger poll surveyed 1,502 Canadians online from January 26 to January 29, 2026, revealing strong public sentiment for stricter controls. Key findings include:
- Approximately 90% of respondents believe there should be a minimum age requirement for accessing certain social media platforms.
- Among those, 27% support setting the age at 14 to 15 years, while another 27% advocate for 16 to 17 years.
- 79% of participants expressed support for the establishment of a regulatory body to oversee tech companies.
- 77% favor a tougher enforcement approach to regulation, including measures targeting AI tools.
The poll also uncovered significant concerns among Canadian adults regarding children's online experiences:
- 73% worry about children becoming addicted to social media.
- 76% are concerned about false information and fraudulent ads targeting minors.
- 74% fear online sexual exploitation and abuse.
Challenges and Political Context
While support for regulation is high, practical challenges remain. Todd pointed out that an age ban raises questions about monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. Additionally, the poll explored attitudes toward regulation in the context of international pressures, such as hostility from U.S. President Donald Trump toward existing regimes in Europe. Around 53% of respondents said they would support stronger regulation of social media companies despite such pressures, with higher agreement among women and older Canadians.
Although online polls cannot be assigned a formal margin of error, the pollster noted that for comparative purposes, a probability sample of this size would typically have a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
Government Response and Future Directions
The poll results reinforce the messages that advocates have been delivering to the Carney government, which has primarily addressed online harms through Criminal Code reforms. For instance, the government has introduced legislation to criminalize sexualized "deepfakes"—AI-generated images depicting individuals naked or in sex acts. However, advocates argue that broader regulatory measures are necessary to protect children and ensure accountability from tech giants.
As the debate continues, the overwhelming public support for age restrictions and regulation highlights a growing consensus on the need for safer online spaces, setting the stage for potential policy changes in the near future.
