Canada moves to bar children under 16 from having social media accounts

The Canadian government is drafting legislation to prohibit social media accounts for minors under 16. The proposal follows recommendations from child‑safety advocates and regulatory bodies. It would require platforms to verify users’ ages before account creation. The measure joins similar initiatives in Europe and other jurisdictions. Officials argue the rule will protect children from online harms and data exploitation. Critics warn it may drive young users to unregulated platforms. The bill is expected to undergo parliamentary debate in the coming months. Stakeholders are watching the outcome to gauge its impact on digital policy worldwide.