Social media ban for kids under consideration in online harms bill: Carney

By Canadian Press on March 6, 2026.

TOKYO — Prime Minister Mark Carney says that while there should be debate in Canada about a social media ban for children, he has not made up his own mind on the issue yet.

Carney says there are arguments on both sides and more information emerging about how such bans work.

A number of countries are implementing or considering bans since Australia became the first country to ban social media for kids under 16 three months ago.

Carney also says government needs to pass online harms legislation and that the question of an “age of majority” for social media would naturally be part of that consideration.

An earlier bill, introduced by the previous Liberal government, failed to become law when the election was called last year.

Advocates for women and children have called on the government to bring back the proposals included in that bill.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2026.

Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian Press

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