The Canadian federal government is set to propose a ban on social media use for children under 16 as part of its upcoming online harms bill, expected to be introduced on Wednesday.
A government source confirmed the plans ahead of the official announcement, though Culture Minister Marc Miller declined to discuss specifics before presenting the bill to the House of Commons.
The move follows similar actions taken by other countries. Australia implemented a social media ban for minors last December, while the United Kingdom, Spain, and South Korea are considering comparable measures. Malaysia recently imposed its own ban for users under 16, and Brazil now requires youth accounts to be linked to a guardian’s account. France passed a law setting the minimum social media age at 15 in January, with implementation expected at the start of the next school year.
How Would a Social Media Ban Work?
Supporters argue that such a ban is necessary to address growing evidence of the negative effects of screen time and social media on children’s mental health.
Shimi Kang, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry and mental health at the University of British Columbia, described the approach as sensible, noting that “the science is absolutely clear about the impact it has on young people.”
However, critics argue that a ban is an oversimplified solution that fails to address the root causes of online harm.
Christopher Dietzel, a postdoctoral researcher at Western University and associate professor at Concordia University, said, “It doesn’t really eliminate the harm. It doesn’t do anything to hold companies accountable for the harm that occurs on their platforms.”
Privacy Concerns and Enforcement Challenges
Enforcing a ban raises significant privacy concerns. Under Australia’s law, platforms can verify users’ ages by requesting identification, using third-party facial age estimation, or analyzing existing data such as account duration.
Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law at the University of Ottawa, warned that such measures could lead to increased surveillance and data collection for all users. “These systems tend to dig deeper,” he said, noting that they may analyze social circles or language use to estimate age.
Research suggests many Australian teenagers are circumventing the ban. A study by the Molly Rose Foundation found that 61 percent of 12- to 15-year-olds in Australia continued to have social media accounts, with 70 percent saying it was “easy” to bypass the restrictions.
Dietzel also cautioned that a prohibition-based approach could create stigma, potentially discouraging young people from seeking help if they encounter problems online.
Calls for Education and Corporate Accountability
Advocates emphasize that a ban should be part of a broader strategy focused on education and corporate responsibility.
Josh Golin, executive director of FairPlay, a U.S.-based organization pushing for youth protection legislation, said the ban sends a clear message to tech companies: “If these companies refuse to take simple steps to make their products safer and less addictive for young people, they should lose their right to target children.”
Margot Denommé, leader of the group Raising Awareness Against Digital Dangers, compared the approach to driver education, suggesting teens should be taught about online risks before gaining access to platforms.
While some support the ban as a temporary measure, experts like Geist warn that once age-verification infrastructure is established, it is unlikely to be reversed. “Once you build that infrastructure and collect all the data, there is no longer a temporary aspect,” he said.
– With files from Global’s Bryan Mullan and Mackenzie Gray
