The Liberal government says its proposed Bill C-34 would ban social media access for children under 16 while remaining consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
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The Liberal government says its proposed digital safety legislation could affect freedom of expression, but that the bill itself is consistent with Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Under Bill C-34, social media access would be banned for kids under 16. The measure is expected by experts to face a constitutional challenge.
The government says it included an analysis of the bill in a Charter statement issued by Justice Minister Sean Fraser, a document that assesses whether legislation aligns with the Charter.
According to the Charter statement, Bill C-34 might engage freedom of expression and equality rights, as well as section 8 of the Charter, which addresses privacy.
The government says the ban is still consistent with the Charter for several reasons, including that age-based restrictions already apply to activities such as voting and driving.
The government also says there is considerable evidence about the risks social media use poses for young people, and that social media platforms with adequate safeguards would be exempt from the ban.
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