Unplugged Canada: Nova Scotia Calls on Ottawa to Protect Kids Online
Unplugged Canada was pleased that the Nova Scotia Liberal Party introduced the Social Media Responsibility Act in the Nova Scotia Legislature on September 23, 2025 and we were honoured to attend the debate. Bill 133 takes a crucial step by proposing to raise the minimum age for social media in Nova Scotia to 16, a critical move to protect children from proven harms. While the bill did not advance, the debate made one thing clear: there is cross-party recognition that social media is harming young people, and all parties agree that federal action is urgently needed.
Federal Action Needed Now to Protect Kids Online
Our province has led the way in Canada, implementing bold public health measures to keep Nova Scotians safe and healthy. Last week’s debate resulted in multi-party support for urgent federal leadership on smartphones and social media. A new Ipsos poll finds that Canadians overwhelmingly agree: 84% say kids should be at least 16 to join social media, while 81% want the government to enforce this rule. Most compelling, 4 in 5 Gen Zs state that they have lived through the harms and support delaying social media until 16.
The parents and families across Canada who make up Unplugged Canada are amplifying that call. Our federal petition and national call to action are backed by thousands of Canadians. Our dossier of evidence is endorsed by Canada’s leading children’s health experts. We have shared this with the Government of Canada, and it is already gaining support from Members of Parliament across the country.
Other jurisdictions, like Australia and New Zealand, are already moving forward with enforceable standards. It’s possible to protect youth while also preserving privacy through frameworks that require companies to comply and use a variety of proven privacy-preserving solutions. Canada can and must do the same.
Parents cannot shoulder the burden of protecting children from billion-dollar corporations whose business models profit from harm. The Government of Canada must step in with clear rules and enforceable safeguards.
Unplugged Canada encourages all parties in Nova Scotia to unite behind this momentum by signing a joint letter urging the federal government to act. Our province has an opportunity to be a strong national voice, showing that Nova Scotia is ready to lead in protecting children online — just as we have led before with bold public health measures.
Stronger Together: Parents and Government
We are encouraged that the Progressive Conservative Party in Nova Scotia recognized education as a priority in this debate. While we see education and legislation working best together, education has been at the heart of Unplugged Canada’s advocacy from the start.
Through our pledge, we encourage parents to delay giving their children smartphones and social media. Families want safer ways for their kids to stay connected. Those solutions already exist, from kid-safe phones to smartwatches that enable communication without exposing children to harmful content. We stand ready to work with the Government of Nova Scotia on a public awareness campaign to ensure families across Nova Scotia understand both the risks and the healthier options available.
Bell-to-Bell Protection for Every Student
We commend the Province of Nova Scotia for taking the critical first step of restricting the use of phones in classrooms. This was an important first move. We believe the next step is a full bell-to-bell policy at all grade levels, removing phones entirely for the entire school day. Allowing smartphone use during breaks and lunch undermines social development, disrupts peer relationships, and weakens connections to school life. It also exposes the entire school community – including those without smartphones – to greater risks of social shaming, cyber-bullying, harmful content, and predatory contact.
Other jurisdictions with bell-to-bell protection include Quebec, myriad U.S. states–like New York State and Washington D.C., to Texas and Indiana – and countries such as France and parts of Spain, Norway and Denmark. Results from policies that remove phones for the entire school day show a decrease in bullying and an increase in PISA scores (notably in science and math). But the biggest benefits have been their improvement of kids’ social well-being. This proves that students ultimately feel relieved, free to focus on learning and friendships without constant online distractions.
At Unplugged Canada, we’ve already partnered with schools in Nova Scotia to help establish their own bell-to-bell cell phone policies. We are prepared to support the Government of Nova Scotia in implementing a province-wide directive that ensures every child benefits from a truly distraction-free school day.
Nova Scotia is Ready to Lead Again
Nova Scotia has a proud history of leading Canada in bold public health measures, from banning smoking in cars carrying children and public smoking restrictions, to banning cell phone use while driving. Once again, Nova Scotia can lead in prioritizing children’s health and safety.
Unplugged Canada stands ready to partner with the Province of Nova Scotia, the Government of Canada, parents, and schools to protect kids online, support families, and ensure Canada is one of the safest places to grow up in the digital age.
Sincerely,
Jenna Poste
National Technology Impact Advisor
Nova Scotia Chapter Co-founder & Lead
Unplugged Canada
ns@unpluggedcanada.com
Supported by:
Jenny Perez, Founder – Unplugged Canada
Erin Koshal, Policy Lead – Unplugged Canada
Robin Sherk, Call to Action Program Lead – Unplugged
Bethany Lund, Nova Scotia Chapter Co-founder – Unplugged Canada
Stephanie Mahoney, Nova Scotia Chapter Co-founder – Unplugged Canada
Robin Kean, Nova Scotia Chapter Co-founder – Unplugged Canada
Kirsten Sweet, Director Strategic Partnerships, Alberta Chapter Founder – Unplugged Canada
Dr Michele Locke PhD, C.Psych, Toronto Chapter Co-founder – Unplugged Canada
Rebecca Snow, Toronto Chapter Co-founder – Unplugged Canada
Jessica Besser-Rosenberg, Toronto Chapter Co-founder – Unplugged Canada
Dave Pelletier, Toronto Chapter Co-founder – Unplugged Canada
Jennifer Gill, PEI Chapter Founder – Unplugged Canada
