Over 80% say ban kids from social media in Canada: Poll

A growing number of people appear to support restricting young people’s access to social media, as the federal government signals it is seriously exploring the idea.

According to an INsauga.com poll of 3,396 respondents, a significant majority believe children and young teens should be banned from using social media platforms altogether.

The results show overwhelming support for the idea, with 81.6 per cent (2,770 votes) saying yes, children and young teens should be banned. Meanwhile, 12.2 per cent (415 votes) said no, and 6.2 per cent (211 votes) indicated they remain undecided.

The poll comes as officials in Canada move closer to potentially introducing stricter rules around youth access to social media. Canada’s Culture Minister Marc Miller recently said Ottawa is “very seriously” considering a ban or significant restrictions for children, pointing to rising concerns about online harms, mental health, and the addictive nature of platforms.

The discussion is part of a broader national conversation around how to better protect young people online. Federal officials have raised concerns about issues such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful or inappropriate content, and the impact of excessive screen time on developing brains.

Miller also suggested that any potential move could involve age-based restrictions or stronger verification systems, rather than relying solely on current platform policies, which critics say are too easy for young users to bypass.

While no formal legislation has been introduced, the strong support reflected in the poll suggests many Canadians are open to tougher measures, especially as other countries explore similar restrictions or outright bans for younger users.

At the same time, the minority opposition and undecided responses highlight that not everyone agrees with a blanket ban. Some argue that education, parental involvement, and stricter platform accountability may be more effective than prohibiting access altogether.

As discussions continue at the federal level, the debate is expected to intensify, raising key questions about how to balance protection, personal freedom, and the realities of a digitally connected world.