New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt told the provincial legislature on Tuesday that she will press the federal government to prohibit social‑media access for anyone under 16 . she warned that if Ottawa’s upcoming online‑safety bill falls short , the province is ready to craft its own legislation this fall.

New Brunswick's push for a under‑16 social media ban

Holt announced that New Brunswick is preparing a bill that would ban social‑media accounts for users younger than 16, block targeted ads to minors, and outlaw algorithmic feeds for that age group. She said the measures are needed to protect youth menttal health, citing research that links frequent platform use to higher rates of anxiety and depression, especially among young girls. "Childcare experts have been raising the concern about the measurable negative impact that technology and social media is having on young people’s mental health," Holt said durng question period .

Federal online harms bill expected Wednesday

The federal government is slated to introduce an online‑harms bill as early as Wednesday, which could set nationwide limits on social‑media access for minors. Federal Culture Minister Marc Miller has called the legislation a priority, noting, "I think it’s obvious why it’s a priority, kids are dying." According to the source, Holt will review Ottawa’s proposal in the coming days before deciding whether to move ahead with a provincial law.

Provincial preceednts: BC and Manitoba's age‑based bans

British Columbia previously advocated for a similar under‑16 ban, though its chamber of commerce later rejected the proposal while urging stronger mental‑health funding and penalties on U.S. platforms. Manitoba, meanwhile, has pledged to become the first Canadian jurisdiction to ban both social media and AI chat‑bots for children, signaling a growing regional appetite for stricter digital rules.

Unresolved enforcement questions: age verification and penalties

Holt cited Australia’s age‑verification model, where users must prove their age before creating an account, as a possible “one gate for access.” She also suggested fines for platforms that fail to comply , but the source notes that practical enforcement remains uncertain, given the cross‑border nature of most social‑media services.

Who will enforce the ban and how?

While Holt emphasizes the need for national leadership, the division of jurisdiction between federal telecom authority and provincial legislatures could complicate enforcement. The source highlights that the debate underscores tension between provincial initiatives and federal control over telecommunications, leaving the exact mechanisms for age‑verification and penalties still to be defined.