Canada’s social media ban for under-16s goes to parliament

Legislation would exempt platforms that can prove they have safeguards for children in place Canada’s government has introduced legislation to parliament that could ban children younger than 16 from having social media accounts unless the companies show they can make their platforms safe. Ottawa is joining a growing global effort to tighten online safety. Canadian government officials said social media platforms can obtain an exemption if they have put in place sufficient safeguards. “We are failing our children. Enough is enough,” said Marc Miller, Canada’s culture minister. “We need basic protection in place.” The legislation covers seven types of harmful content including content that induces children to harm themselves, content that incites violence and foments hatred and non-consensual intimate images. A digital safety commission will be created. Criteria for what exemptions would look like will be announced at a later date. Miller said setting up the regulator could take up to 18 months. Miller said platforms will need to prove they are safe. Age verification will also be established. Countries including Australia, Brazil and Indonesia have introduced or announced