Australia is banning social media for those under 16. Is it a solution for Canada? [Video]

Australia’s new law banning social media for those under 16 will likely move the needle on Canadian efforts demanding more online protections for young people, experts say, though they call the “sledgehammer approach” an imperfect solution.

Passed Thursday, the new law will require TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and other social media companies to take “reasonable steps” to keep users under 16 off their platforms or face fines.

The ambitious Australian legislation comes amid ongoing lawsuits in Canada and the U.S. accusing social media companies of harming young people, as well as proposed updates to online safety legislation in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. 

“We are seeing a rising groundswell of recognition that this technology is toxic to our kids,” said London, Ont.-based tech analyst and journalist Carmi Levy. “The momentum is certainly there for Canada to do something.”

However, Levy believes Australia — and countries that might consider following suit — will face significant challenges in implementing such a ban, with age-authentication, data …