A new national survey conducted by Leger shows strong public support in Canada for restricting children’s access to social media platforms and AI chatbots, reflecting rising concern over the influence of digital technologies on young people’s mental health and development.
The survey finds that 83% of Canadians are worried about the potential harmful effects of social media on children and teenagers. An almost equally high 81% express concern about AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot, highlighting growing unease not only about traditional social platforms but also about emerging artificial intelligence tools. Concerns are particularly pronounced among women and Canadians aged 55 and older, who show higher levels of support for stricter regulation.