Ottawa proposes social media ban for kids under 16

The federal government is preparing to propose a ban on social media use for children under 16 as part of its highly anticipated online harms bill, which will be introduced Wednesday.

The measure follows action first taken in Australia, where a similar ban took effect last December. Research suggests many Australian teens are evading it, while the country's online safety watchdog reported in March that social media companies weren't fully complying.

Canada's move reflects growing political momentum around youth social media restrictions. The Liberal Party adopted a motion for a youth social media ban at its April convention, an idea polling shows a majority of Canadians support. Culture Minister Marc Miller, who will introduce the bill, previously said the government was "very seriously" considering such a measure.

Other countries, including the United Kingdom, are considering similar bans. Within Canada, Manitoba became the first province to announce it would move to enact a youth social media ban. Ontario, Alberta, and New Brunswick have said they're considering the same.

Experts have raised questions about enforcing such a ban and whether it would meaningfully improve children's online literacy and safety. Advocates counter that a ban would improve children's mental and physical health while curbing growing online addiction among young people.

The bill's introduction Wednesday will be the first concrete federal step toward the restriction.