Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has confirmed that the new child protection measures introduced as part of an $18-billion legal settlement in the United States will not extend to Canadian teenagers. The measures include potential safeguards such as daily limits on screen time, disabling notifications during school hours, and restrictions on nighttime scrolling. According to Meta, these changes are exclusively designed for the U.S. market and will not be rolled out in Canada currently.
Multiple sources have reported that experts consulted on the matter agree on the lack of updates for Canadian users, highlighting that the protections provided to American teens will not be available. As the discussion about social media safety continues in Canada, some provincial leaders have expressed concerns about self-regulation and the need for more robust protections for children online. The divergence in regulations between the U.S. and Canada raises questions regarding the approach to youth safety on social media platforms within Canada, particularly as similar measures are being considered in legislative discussions.
For now, Canadian teens will not receive the benefits associated with these U.S. settlement-based changes, leaving many advocates for youth safety calling for stronger protective measures and better regulation of social media companies operating in Canada.
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