Canada’s Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s May Allow Future Exemptions for Safer Platforms

Canada’s proposed legislation aimed at protecting children from online harms could eventually allow certain social media platforms to regain access to users under the age of 16 provided they can demonstrate strong safety measures designed specifically for young people.

The new online harms bill, introduced by the federal government, would initially prohibit children under 16 from accessing designated social media platforms. However, unlike Australia’s blanket social media ban for minors, the Canadian approach leaves room for exemptions in the future.

Under the proposed framework, social media companies that can prove they have implemented robust child-safety protections may qualify for exemptions once a new Digital Safety Commission is established. Federal officials expect the commission to begin operating approximately 18 months after the legislation receives royal assent.

Experts say the Canadian model combines regulation with incentives, encouraging technology companies to redesign their platforms to better protect younger users.

Christopher Dietzel, a postdoctoral fellow in sociology at Western University, believes the legislation strikes a more balanced approach than similar laws elsewhere.

While acknowledging concerns about the harms associated with social media, Dietzel noted that the bill recognizes the possibility that platforms can evolve into safer digital environments. If companies can demonstrate that their services are “safe by design,” they may eventually be allowed to serve younger users again.

Before any exemptions can be granted, however, the federal government must establish clear standards for what qualifies as adequate child protection. Those rules will be developed by the Privy Council and later enforced by the Digital Safety Commission.

Government officials have indicated that until the exemption process is fully operational, children under 16 would effectively be barred from accessing designated social media services.

Public policy experts view the proposal as an attempt to balance online safety with the potential benefits social media can offer young people.

Heidi Tworek, a professor of history and public policy at the University of British Columbia, said the legislation acknowledges that social media is not inherently harmful in every circumstance. She noted that online platforms can provide educational opportunities, social connections, and community support when appropriate safeguards are in place.

According to Tworek, the proposed law creates both pressure and motivation for companies to improve their products. The success of the legislation, however, will largely depend on how regulators define the standards required for exemptions.

The bill outlines a “duty to protect children,” requiring social media and artificial intelligence platforms to adopt age-appropriate design features. Potential safeguards could include content warnings, enhanced safe-search tools, restrictions on harmful content, and measures aimed at reducing addictive platform features such as endless scrolling.

Major technology companies argue they have already taken significant steps to improve safety for younger users.

Meta recently expanded protections through its teen account settings on Instagram, limiting contact from strangers and reducing exposure to sensitive content. TikTok has also introduced stricter privacy controls for teenagers, including restrictions on live streaming, online purchases, and screen-time management tools.

TikTok has expressed support for working with the Canadian government on further improvements, saying platform safety remains a key priority.

One of the biggest unanswered questions remains how the age restrictions would actually be enforced.

Technology companies and policymakers continue to debate whether age verification should be handled by social media platforms themselves or by app store providers such as Apple and Google.

Meta has argued that app stores are better positioned to verify users’ ages because they already collect age information and parental consent data during device setup. Apple recently introduced additional child-safety features that strengthen age-based controls across its ecosystem.

However, experts point out that social media services can also be accessed through web browsers, meaning app-store restrictions alone may not fully prevent underage access.

The proposed legislation places responsibility for age enforcement primarily on social media companies, although federal officials acknowledge that discussions with industry stakeholders are likely to continue as the bill moves through Parliament.

Privacy concerns also remain a significant issue. The legislation requires any age-verification data to be used solely for confirming age eligibility and mandates that such information be deleted once verification is complete.

Experts say the effectiveness of those protections will depend heavily on future regulations and oversight mechanisms. Questions remain about how regulators will define effective age verification, how compliance will be monitored, and what safeguards will be in place during the period before the Digital Safety Commission becomes operational.

As Parliament debates the legislation, Canada’s approach is emerging as a middle ground between outright social media bans and industry self-regulation an effort to make online spaces safer for children while encouraging technology companies to fundamentally rethink how their platforms are designed.