The Nova Scotia Liberal Party says it will introduce landmark legislation this fall that would make the province the first in Canada to set a minimum age for social media use.
The proposed Social Media Responsibility Act would restrict access to platforms for children under 16, mirroring measures already adopted in countries such as Australia and Norway. The bill is being framed as a response to what experts describe as a youth mental health crisis.
Evidence has increasingly linked heavy social media use to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts among young people. A 2023 study from the U.S. Surgeon General found that youth who spent more than three hours a day on social media faced double the risk of poor mental health outcomes.
Liberal House Leader Iain Rankin, who will table the bill, said protecting children online is an urgent priority. “This bill will ensure that children under 16 are not exposed to harmful content or interactions that can have life-long impacts on their mental health,” Rankin said, adding that the move is about putting children’s well-being first.
Interim Leader Derek Mombourquette called the measure an opportunity for Nova Scotia to lead the country. “This legislation would create clear protections for families and make Nova Scotia a national leader in putting children’s safety first,” he said.
Advocates, including parents and child safety groups, welcomed the announcement. Jenna Poste, a tech executive and co-founder of the Nova Scotia chapter of Unplugged Canada, said families have been calling for action. “Nova Scotia is recognizing the real and urgent harms social media is having on youth mental health and creating a model for others to follow,” she said.
The proposal follows the province’s cell phone ban in schools, implemented last year, which was aimed at reducing distractions and improving student well-being. The Liberals say the next step is to apply that principle outside the classroom to ensure consistent protection for children both at school and at home.
However, with just two seats in the Nova Scotia Legislature, the Liberals will need support from other parties for the bill to pass.
