Canada Seeks Social Media Ban for Under-16s, Saying Platforms Are “Failing Our Children”

Canada is considering a ban on social media access for children under 16, with officials arguing that major platforms are not doing enough to protect young users. The proposal comes amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on mental health, online safety, cyberbullying, and harmful content exposure. Supporters say stricter rules are needed to safeguard children, while critics question how such restrictions would be enforced and their potential effects on digital rights and communication.

Canada is moving toward some of the toughest online safety rules for children, proposing legislation that could prevent anyone under 16 years old from opening social media accounts unless platforms can prove they are safe for young users.

The proposal reflects a broader global push to strengthen child protection online. Canadian officials said social media companies may qualify for exemptions, but only if they demonstrate strong and effective safety measures.

“We are failing our children. Enough is enough,” said Culture Minister Marc Miller, stressing the urgent need for stronger safeguards in the digital space.

The legislation targets seven categories of harmful content, including material that encourages self-harm, promotes violence, spreads hate, or involves the sharing of non-consensual intimate images.

To enforce the new rules, Canada plans to establish a Digital Safety Commission, a dedicated regulator responsible for overseeing compliance. Details on exemption requirements will be released later, while the regulator itself could take up to 18 months to become operational.

Social media companies would be required to prove their platforms are safe for children, and age-verification systems would also be introduced as part of the framework.

Canada's proposal follows similar moves in countries such as Australia, Brazil, and Indonesia, which have already introduced or announced age-based restrictions on children's social media access. Nations including Britain, France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand, and South Korea are also exploring comparable measures.

Platforms that primarily host adult content would be ineligible for any exemption under the proposed law.

The legislation goes beyond social media, extending oversight to companies developing artificial intelligence chatbots. These firms would be required to adopt responsible practices, including measures such as crisis intervention protocols.

Australia’s experience has become a key reference point. Since introducing its under-16 social media ban, companies have reportedly removed access to around 4.7 million accounts believed to belong to children. The policy sparked nationwide debates about privacy, mental health, technology use, and child safety, while encouraging other countries to consider similar action.

Canadian officials say they intend to study Australia’s approach closely and apply lessons learned as they shape their own regulations.

Lianna McDonald, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, welcomed the proposal, pointing to a sharp rise in sextortion cases linked to social media and emphasizing the need for stronger protections for young people online.

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Source: NDTV