Meta is urging the Canadian federal government to establish new regulations for age verification at the app store level. This proposal would shift the responsibility to major companies like Apple and Google, rather than individual platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Rachel Curran, Meta Canada’s director of public policy, shared details about the initiative during discussions with both federal and provincial officials.

In an interview, Curran emphasized that the Liberal government should incorporate this concept into upcoming legislation focused on online safety. "We think it’s by far the most effective, privacy-protective, efficient way to determine a user’s age," she stated. Under the proposed framework, app stores would inform developers whether users are under or over 18 years old. Curran explained, "That would allow us, along with all of the other apps that kids are using, to make sure users are placed in appropriate experiences for their age."

Curran noted that parents already provide birth dates when setting up their children’s devices and link their accounts for purchase approvals. She pointed out that over 20 U.S. states have already proposed or enacted similar legislation targeting app stores. "We know it’s workable, so we’re making the case that this is what we should do in Canada as well to better protect youth online," she added.

Meta has also been implementing its own measures, including the introduction of teen accounts on Facebook and Instagram that feature parental controls. The company plans to adhere to "PG-13" standards for these accounts, ensuring that teens are not exposed to inappropriate content. Similar guidelines are being developed for Meta’s AI chatbots.

Curran mentioned that the company is using technology to assess a user’s age based on their social interactions and the content they engage with. However, she believes there is a more effective method for age verification. The response from the federal government has been "generally quite positive," according to Curran, although provincial officials have expressed concerns regarding jurisdictional issues related to the proposed legislation.

Recently, a coalition of child advocates and medical organizations declared that the risks children face online represent a national emergency. They have called for the revival of the Online Harms Act, which was initially introduced by the Trudeau government but never passed. The Liberal government has indicated it will not reintroduce the legislation in its original form but will address online safety issues through other legislative measures.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser has announced plans to introduce a bill that will include provisions to combat online sexual exploitation and extortion. Additionally, Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon has indicated that his forthcoming privacy bill, expected in early December, may incorporate age restrictions for accessing AI chatbots to safeguard children.

The rising use of AI chatbots has raised significant concerns regarding their impact on young users. Megan Garcia, who filed a lawsuit in Florida against Character.AI following her 14-year-old son’s suicide, spoke in Montreal last month. She urged policymakers outside the U.S. to take action, stating that such measures would help hold tech companies accountable.