Canada Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-16s

The government of Canada has introduced legislation that would prevent children under the age of 16 from creating social media accounts unless platforms can prove they provide a safe digital environment for young users.

Canadian Culture Minister Mark Miller said the proposal is aimed at strengthening online protections for children, arguing that social media companies must take greater responsibility for user safety.

The bill would require platforms to implement age-verification measures and tackle seven categories of harmful content, including material that promotes self-harm, violence, hate speech, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

Under the proposed rules, companies that fail to meet safety standards could be restricted from offering services to users under 16.

The legislation also calls for the creation of a Canadian Digital Safety Commission to oversee enforcement, monitor compliance, and grant exemptions to platforms that meet the required child-protection standards.

The proposal marks one of Canada's most significant efforts to regulate social media access for minors, reflecting a growing global push to strengthen online safety and limit young people's exposure to harmful digital content.