Canada introduces Bill to restrict social media access for children under 16

Canada has introduced new legislation that could restrict children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms unless companies can prove that their services are safe for minors.

Under the proposed law, social media companies would be required to either restrict access for users under 16 or obtain an exemption by demonstrating that they have implemented strong safety safeguards to protect young users online.

The legislation specifically targets seven categories of harmful online content, including material that promotes self-harm, incites violence or hatred, and the sharing of non-consensual intimate images. Authorities say the aim is to strengthen protections for children in an increasingly digital environment.

As part of the proposed framework, the government plans to establish a new regulatory body called the Digital Safety Commission of Canada, which will oversee compliance and enforcement. However, detailed exemption criteria for platforms will be finalized at a later stage.

Canada’s Culture Minister Marc Miller stated that setting up the regulator could take up to 18 months, indicating a phased implementation approach for the new digital safety framework.

The move places Canada alongside countries such as Australia, Brazil, and Indonesia, which have already introduced or are considering age-based restrictions on social media usage for minors.

Officials say the legislation reflects growing global concern over the impact of social media on children’s mental health, safety, and exposure to harmful online content.

If passed, the law would significantly change how major social media platforms operate in Canada, particularly in terms of age verification and content moderation systems.