The federal government has introduced Bill C-34, the Digital Safety Act, its third attempt at online harms legislation, aiming to restrict social media access for youth under 16. While the goal is to protect children, critics warn of significant privacy risks and potential overreach.
Social Media Ban for Under-16s
As anticipated, Bill C-34 would position Canada among a growing number of nations to restrict access to most social media platforms and user-contributed online streaming services to those over 16. Australia was the first to implement such a ban in December, followed by Brazil, which requires youth accounts to be linked to parents and prevents doomscrolling. Denmark and Austria have announced similar measures.
Under Canada's law, platforms could apply for exemptions if they prove adequate safeguards are in place, but details remain unclear.
Privacy Red Flags
University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist expressed concerns, stating that the age ban could make age-gating standard practice. 'The implementation raises enormous concerns,' Geist said. 'Once you build this infrastructure and collect data, there's no putting the toothpaste back in the tube.' He warned of a future where ID collection is mandatory for internet access.
Jay Goldberg of the Consumer Choice Centre argued that bans are the wrong approach. In Australia, five million accounts were deactivated, but 20% of youth bypass the ban using VPNs. 'Teenagers find workarounds, but bans disconnect those who comply from support groups and loved ones,' he said.
Alternative Solutions
Geist suggested improving safety without age gates, such as addressing addictive design features like infinite scroll, ensuring algorithm transparency, and holding platforms accountable for liability if they fail to protect kids.
Third Attempt at Online Harms
Bill C-34 is the Liberals' third attempt at comprehensive online harms legislation. Previous bills—C-36 in 2021 and C-63 in 2024—died on the order paper due to criticism and election calls.
