B.C. attorney general calls on Meta to extend new youth safeguards to Canada

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma is calling on Meta to provide Canadian children with the same online protections the company is introducing for young users in the United States.

Sharma said the recent $18-billion settlement between Meta and a coalition of U.S. states, which involved allegations that the company’s platforms contributed to harm among children and youth and misled the public about the safety of its products, highlights the need for stronger protections.

Under the settlement, Meta will introduce new safeguards for U.S. users under 18, including age-related content restrictions, age-verification measures and features intended to reduce excessive use of its platforms.

Sharma said the changes show that stronger protections for children and youth are both possible and necessary, and urged Meta to implement the same measures in Canada immediately.

She said Canadian families should not have to wait for the outcome of ongoing lawsuits against social media companies before receiving stronger protections, arguing that companies should take action to safeguard young people without being forced to do so through legal proceedings.

Sharma also emphasized B.C.’s efforts to strengthen online safety and hold corporations accountable when their products or practices cause harm. She pointed to the province’s Intimate Images Protection Act and its advocacy for reforms included in the federal government’s proposed Safe Social Media Act.

She said B.C. will continue pushing for stronger and enforceable measures to protect children and young people online.