Ottawa moves to restrict social media access for kids under 16
The federal government is introducing legislation to limit social media use among younger Canadians, joining other countries in addressing youth screen time.
The day's top stories, food & events — every morning at 7. Unsubscribe anytime.
The federal government is moving to restrict social media access for Canadians under the age of 16, introducing the Safe Social Media Act as it joins a growing international trend of governments limiting youth screen time.
The new bill gives social media platforms room to adjust their operations to comply, but the underlying goal is clear: reduce the amount of time minors spend on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat.
Parents, educators, and experts have offered differing opinions on the legislation. Some see it as necessary protection for developing brains; others worry about enforcement challenges and free-speech implications.
Canada is the latest country to take legislative action on youth social media use, joining jurisdictions that have passed or proposed similar restrictions. The bill does not impose an outright ban but creates a legal framework to enforce age restrictions and content controls.
