Ottawa seriously weighs social media ban for children under broader online harms push
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Canada’s federal government is seriously weighing restrictions that could include banning children from accessing social media platforms, as part of a broader push to revive and reshape online harms legislation. The issue is gaining political and public traction as pressure grows on Ottawa to take stronger action against digital environments seen as harmful to minors.
Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller said the government is considering the idea “very seriously,” while also making clear that a ban on its own would not fully solve the wider problem of online harms. No timeline has been announced for new legislation, suggesting the file remains under active policy review rather than at a final legislative stage.
The debate has gained added momentum after the federal government reconvened its expert advisory group on online safety in March 2026 to help inform ongoing legislative work on emerging digital risks, including child protection. It also follows the collapse of Bill C-63, the previous online harms bill, which died when Parliament was dissolved in January 2025.
