Companies that violate the rules could face fines of up to 3% of global revenue or $10 million CAD—potentially costing companies such as Meta, TikTok, and Google hundreds of millions of dollars. Yet one key question remains unanswered: how will users’ ages be verified?
Supporters argue that action is long overdue. They are pointing to growing evidence linking social media use to cyberbullying, harmful content, sleep disruption, and declining mental health among young people.
Canada is not alone in taking action. Australia became the first country to pass legislation restricting social media access for under-16s. While France, Denmark, and Poland are considering similar measures. The message from governments is increasingly clear: platforms must better protect young users or face stricter regulation.
The biggest challenge, however, may be enforcement. The bill leaves age-verification rules to the Digital Safety Commission, which is expected to be established after the legislation passes. Critics warn that verifying minors’ ages would effectively require age checks for everyone. This has raised concerns about privacy, data collection, and civil liberties.
Questions Remain
Others question whether the ban can be enforced at all, noting that teenagers could circumvent restrictions through parent accounts, false information, VPNs, or browser-based access. For some observers, the proposal risks being more symbolic than practical.
Public support remains strong. This support is reflected in the 75% of Canadians and 70% of parents who back a ban on social media for those under 16. Among young people, however, opinions are more mixed. Aany Vital Ramos, an Ottawa student and member of the youth advisory council for Children First Canada, has said the legislation is a positive step but argued that it does not fully address the challenges facing young people online.
For Ramos, the bill’s most important element is not the age ban itself but its safety-by-design requirements. If platforms are forced to redesign algorithms, limit addictive features, and prioritize user safety over engagement, the effects could extend far beyond teenagers. While the proposed ban has attracted most of the attention, Bill C-34’s broader effort to reshape how social media platforms operate may prove to be its most lasting legacy.
