Canada Proposes Social Media Ban for Minors Under 15

Canada announced a bill on June 10 to ban social media access for minors under 15, joining a growing global trend of regulating children's online activity. The legislation would require platforms to verify user ages and obtain parental consent, with fines for non-compliance. Similar measures are in place or under consideration in countries including Australia, Turkey, France, and the United Kingdom. Australia is testing age-verification technology, while Turkey has introduced strict parental controls. The moves reflect rising concerns over mental health, data privacy, and exposure to harmful content among youth. Critics argue such bans may infringe on free expression and be difficult to enforce effectively.

Global Impact

Economically, the bans could reduce advertising revenue for social media companies targeting minors, while boosting demand for age-verification technology providers. Politically, the issue is polarizing, with debates over child safety versus free speech playing out in legislatures worldwide.