Online harms bill to include social media ban for children under 16: source

Canada’s federal government will introduce a bill banning social media use for children under 16, part of its broader online harms legislation expected in the House of Commons on Wednesday. The move aligns with recent actions in Australia, where a similar ban took effect last December, and follows Malaysia’s recent enforcement of a 16-year-old minimum age for social media accounts. Brazil now requires youth accounts to be linked to a guardian’s supervision, while France is finalizing a 15-year-old age limit ahead of September’s school year. The policy gained momentum after Canada’s Liberal Party adopted a motion to pursue the ban at its April convention, supported by polling showing broad Canadian approval. Culture Minister Marc Miller previously stated the government was ‘very seriously’ considering the measure, though he declined to comment before the bill’s formal introduction. Manitoba became the first Canadian province to announce its own social media ban for children in April, with Ontario, Alberta, and New Brunswick also exploring similar restrictions. Advocates argue the ban is a necessary response to unregulated social media platforms and growing evidence of mental health risks tied to excessive screen time. Shimi Kang, a clinical psychiatry professor at the University of British Columbia, called it a ‘common sense approach,’ citing clear scientific evidence on youth mental health impacts. Critics, however, argue the ban oversimplifies the issue, as it does not address underlying harms or hold companies accountable for platform risks. The proposed legislation would mark Canada’s first federal attempt to restrict youth access to social media, though enforcement details remain unspecified. Supporters emphasize it as one tool among broader strategies to protect children online, while opponents question its effectiveness without addressing systemic issues in digital spaces.