Canada to restrict social media for under-16s

Canada's government introduced legislation Wednesday that would ban social media accounts for anyone under 16, marking a major shift in how the country regulates digital platforms.

The Safe Social Media Act (Bill C-34) establishes a new Digital Safety Commission and sets safety criteria for social media platforms and AI chatbots. The ban on under-16 accounts could include exemptions for services that implement "adequate safeguards."

Toronto high school students have mixed reactions. Xavier Carr, a local student, worries the ban will push kids underground. "Kids are always going to find their way onto the internet, and it's only going to cause people to be more sneaky about it," he said. Others, like Chloe Kizito from Kitchener, argue social media is essential for activism and connecting with like-minded peers.

Parents in the region largely support the move. Jenny Perez, a Vancouver parent, called it "comprehensive" and welcomed the regulatory body that will enforce the rules. "We are also even happier to hear that they will implement a social media age minimum even before the [Digital Safety] Commission is in place," she said.

The bill responds to growing concerns about teen mental health and online safety, though critics note that enforcement and proving adequate safeguards will be complex. The government plans to implement the age minimum before the commission is fully operational.