Canada could soon become one of the latest countries to introduce major restrictions on social media use by minors.

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is expected to introduce new online safety legislation this week that would ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms unless companies can demonstrate they have effective safeguards in place to protect young users.

The proposed legislation would also establish a new online safety regulator tasked with overseeing digital platforms and addressing harmful content online. While the bill is expected to focus heavily on social media, it will also introduce new responsibilities for artificial intelligence platforms, although a blanket ban on AI chatbots for minors is not currently planned.

Supporters of the proposal argue stronger protections are needed as concerns continue to grow about cyberbullying, harmful content, online exploitation, and the impact social media can have on young people’s mental health.

However, experts remain divided on whether outright bans are the solution. Some researchers point to Australia’s experience, where many young users reportedly found ways around similar restrictions. Critics argue that forcing technology companies to redesign platforms and improve safety features may be more effective than simply preventing access.

The legislation follows years of debate in Canada over how to regulate online harms and comes as governments around the world grapple with balancing digital innovation, free expression, privacy, and child safety.

If passed, the proposed law would represent one of the most significant changes to Canada’s digital landscape in years and could reshape how young Canadians interact with social media platforms in the future.