Canada and New Zealand Pursue Social Media Bans for Minors

Governments in Canada and New Zealand are advancing plans to prohibit children under 16 from using social media, while policymakers in the United Kingdom are debating the efficacy of such bans.

Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba, announced a plan to ban social media and AI chatbots for youth under 16, starting in schools. To enforce the measure, Kinew proposed appointing a regulator to negotiate compliance with tech companies or impose steep fines. While federal Culture Minister Marc Miller noted Ottawa is considering a national ban, Kinew intends to use provincial consumer protection jurisdictions. In New Brunswick, Premier Susan Holt is exploring similar mechanisms to protect children from mental health harms.

In New Zealand, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has expressed deep support for an under-16 ban, though Education Minister Erica Stanford confirmed that a specific member's bill introduced by MP Catherine Wedd is currently on hold. Stanford stated the government is undertaking a wider program of work and aims to introduce legislation this year. The proposal faces opposition from the Green Party, ACT, and the Free Speech Union, with the latter arguing that enforcement would necessitate a mass identity verification system for adults.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is weighing alternatives to bans. During a joint parliamentary session, youth and academics urged the government to reject blanket restrictions in favor of stronger tech regulation and media literacy education, warning that bans could push children into more dangerous, less visible online spaces.