OTTAWA – In June, the federal government introduced Bill C-34, which would force social media platforms to block access for kids under 16.
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OTTAWA – In June, the federal government introduced Bill C-34, which would force social media platforms to block access for kids under 16.
OTTAWA – In June, the federal government introduced Bill C-34, which would force social media platforms to block access for kids under 16.
The exact ways in which social media platforms would verify age haven’t yet been worked out. Culture Minister Marc Miller said there will be “a back and forth with platforms as to what protects people’s privacy and what is adequate and sufficient in the circumstances.”
But we can look to experiences in other countries to get an idea of the options. They range from facial age estimation technology to verification through existing accounts to government-issued digital ID.
Canada is one of a number of countries around the world moving toward social media age restrictions.
They include the United Kingdom, which plans to implement a ban for kids under 16, and France, which has approved a social media ban for kids under 15.
But France’s top court, the Constitutional Council, struck down the social media ban on Friday. The court ruled the ban is too broad and infringed upon freedom of expression and privacy rights.
Countries around the world have introduced age verification systems that are operating at “various levels of efficacy,” said Heidi Tworek, a professor of history and public policy at the University of British Columbia, shortly after the Canadian bill was introduced.