Saskatchewan unveils questionnaires on youth social media limits

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe looks on during a press conference before the release of provincial Saskatchewan budget in Regina, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

The Government of Saskatchewan will be mailing out a questionnaire to every household, posing the question of limits on social media for young people directly to residents.

Premier Scott Moe officially announced the move on Tuesday, beginning his remarks speaking about the province’s approach to drug addictions and treatment before transferring into the discussion around social media.

“Like all parents and caregivers, we want our kids to be safe,” Moe said.

“Social media, we understand, can have a very positive role to play in so many individuals, and in particular in youth’s life. It can help young people connect, to learn to express themselves, but we also know that there are negative aspects and there are serious risks to that connection to social media platforms as well.”

Both Moe and Addictions and Mental Health Minister Lori Carr stressed the province’s eventual stance on the topic would be wholly shaped by the results of the survey – even if residents were in opposition of a ban – which would buck national trends.

“If the people don’t want us to move in this direction, yeah no, we’d take that direction. Certainly,” Moe noted.

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The premier reiterated that his government looked at the prospect of provincial legislation, exploring legal options, but ultimately decided that a national conversation and a Canada-wide approach was needed on the issue.

“We’ll represent Saskatchewan parents within what would be a national ban, which we think would have far higher chance of being effective and impactful than any patchwork of provincial limitations,” he said, referring to Manitoba’s intentions of pursuing a ban at the provincial level.

The survey results will need to be returned by June 30, 2026.

Moe originally floated the idea of asking residents their opinion on banning children under 16 years of age from social media in late March. The announcement came after a poll by Angus Reid suggested a majority of Canadians would support a ban similar to the one Australia has recently imposed.

Additionally, at the Liberal Party of Canada’s convention in April, members passed a non-binding resolution calling on the government to set a minimum age of 16 for those accessing social media.