Canada’s proposed ban on social media use for children under 16 is likely to face a constitutional challenge, legal experts say. The expectation comes as France’s top court strikes down its own similar rule for users under 15, prompting questions about how narrowly such bans must be tailored.
According to the experts cited by outlets, the Canadian federal government could face a Charter of Rights and Freedoms argument, particularly around freedom of expression and whether a blanket restriction is overly broad. The comparison to France’s ruling is central to their assessment, with the court in France finding that the ban went too far and affected expression.
While the sources agree on the likelihood of legal scrutiny, they focus on different aspects of the issue—one emphasizes the constitutional risk under Canada’s Charter, while another highlights the relevance of France’s decision as persuasive guidance for how courts may evaluate scope and justification. Both point to uncertainty about how the Canadian proposal would be defended and enforced if challenged.
