Canada and Philippines Move to Restrict Youth Social Media

The Government of Canada and the Philippines are advancing legislative efforts to restrict children's access to social media. Canada introduced Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, on June 10, which proposes prohibiting accounts for users under 16 and requiring AI chatbots to mitigate harmful content. While the bill threatens big tech companies with restrictions, it reportedly allows platforms to modify their practices to avoid a total ban.

In the Philippines, Senator Robinhood Padilla introduced Senate Bill 601, the Children’s Safety in Social Media Act. This proposal focuses on age verification, mandatory parental consent, and the removal of addictive features such as autoplay and constant notifications.

These moves align with a growing global trend. Australia implemented a total ban for minors in December 2025, and the United Kingdom announced a similar ban for those under 16 effective Spring 2027. Several European Union member states, including France, Spain, and Greece, are also exploring restrictions.

Supporters, including parent advocacy groups and the Premier of New Brunswick, argue these measures protect youth from mental health declines and predators. However, critics and academics warn that blanket bans may be simplistic, lack sufficient evidence, and could isolate youth who rely on digital spaces for community and identity.