Canada proposes ban on social media for children under 16
Canada has introduced legislation to ban children under 16 from having social media accounts unless platforms prove they can ensure safety. The move follows a growing global effort to tighten safety protections. A new regulator will be created to oversee digital safety, with age verification and specific safeguards required.
Key points
- Canada's culture minister, Marc Miller, introduced legislation to bar children under 16 from social media unless platforms prove safety.
- The legislation covers seven types of harmful content, including self-harm, violence, and non-consensual images.
- A new Digital Safety Commission of Canada will be created to regulate digital safety, with exemptions possible for platforms with sufficient safeguards.
- Age verification will be established, and platforms offering adult content will not be eligible for exemptions.
- Canada joins countries like Australia, Brazil, and Indonesia in introducing age-based restrictions or requirements for children's access to social media.
Canada's move to ban children under 16 from social media has sparked debate globally. The proposed legislation aims to protect young users from online harm. A new regulator, the Digital Safety Commission of Canada, will oversee digital safety, with specific safeguards required for exemptions. The move follows a growing global effort to tighten safety protections. Other countries, including Britain, France, and Spain, are studying or developing similar approaches.
Sources
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