Canada Says Proposed Social Media Ban for Under-16s Is Constitutional

The Canadian government has defended proposed Bill C-34, which would ban children under 16 from using social media, arguing that it is consistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

In a statement issued by Justice Minister Sean Fraser, the government acknowledged that the proposed digital safety legislation could affect freedom of expression but maintained that it falls within constitutional limits.

The government argued that age-based restrictions are already in place for activities such as voting and driving, and said similar measures are justified to protect children from the potential harms of social media.

The statement also clarified that social media platforms meeting the required safety standards could be exempt from the proposed ban.

However, legal experts have warned that the legislation could face a constitutional challenge in court, particularly over concerns related to privacy and equality rights.