A quiet lobbying effort is underway in Ottawa, as Meta pushes for a significant shift in how age is verified for users of apps like Facebook and Instagram. Instead of taking responsibility themselves, they propose a system that places the onus on Apple and Google, the gatekeepers of the app stores.
The core of Meta’s argument centers on efficiency and privacy. They believe app stores are already collecting birthdate information during device setup and purchase authorizations. Signaling age ranges – under or over 18 – to app developers would, according to Meta, create a more effective and less intrusive system than individual platforms attempting verification.
This isn’t a new idea; over twenty U.S. states are already exploring or have enacted similar legislation. Meta is presenting this track record as proof of concept, arguing that Canada can adopt a workable solution to better protect young people online.
While advocating for this app store-level change, Meta isn’t standing still. They’ve introduced “teen accounts” on Facebook and Instagram, complete with parental controls and content restrictions mirroring PG-13 movie standards. Similar safeguards are being implemented for their emerging AI chatbots.
However, Meta acknowledges these internal measures aren’t a complete solution. They maintain that a standardized, app store-driven approach is the “better way” to verify age, streamlining the process for all apps used by children and teenagers.
The federal government’s initial response has been described as “generally quite positive,” though provincial governments have raised concerns about jurisdictional authority. The debate unfolds against a backdrop of growing alarm regarding online safety.
A coalition of child advocates and medical organizations recently declared the dangers facing children online a “national emergency,” urging the swift reintroduction of the Online Harms Act. While the Liberals have indicated the original bill won’t return, they are signaling intent to address online harms through other legislative avenues.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser plans to introduce a bill tackling online sexual exploitation and extortion, while the upcoming privacy bill from Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon may include age restrictions for AI chatbot access. The rise of these chatbots has amplified concerns about their potential impact on vulnerable youth.
The urgency of this issue was tragically highlighted by Megan Garcia, who shared her son’s story in Montreal. After her 14-year-old died by suicide following interactions with an AI chatbot, she implored policymakers worldwide to take action, hoping to pressure tech companies into prioritizing child safety.
Garcia’s plea underscores the real-world consequences of online risks, adding a powerful emotional weight to the ongoing debate about how best to protect children in the digital age. The conversation is no longer simply about policy; it’s about lives.
