The Canadian government has introduced a sweeping digital safety bill that would ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms unless those services comply with specific safety requirements.<\/p>\n
The proposed legislation, tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, would also establish new rules governing artificial intelligence chatbots and create a dedicated digital regulator responsible for setting and enforcing online safety standards.<\/p>\n
Under the bill, companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to 3 per cent of their global revenue or C$10 million (US$7.2 million), whichever amount is greater.<\/p>\n
Canada\u2019s Minister of Identity and Culture Marc Miller said social media platforms and AI chatbots are designed to capture users\u2019 attention and can negatively affect young people\u2019s well-being.<\/p>\n
\u2018Social media platforms and AI chatbots are designed to capture attention. They do not support healthy childhood development and have become a source of anxiety, isolation, depression and a range of other mental health challenges for many young Canadians,\u2019 Miller said.<\/p>\n
\u2018Social media platforms and AI chatbots\u2026do not support healthy childhood development and have become a source of anxiety\u2019<\/p>\n
He added that the legislation is intended to create a safer online environment while encouraging young people to build in-person relationships, focus on education and develop practical life skills.<\/p>\n
The proposal comes months after Australia became the first country in the world to implement a nationwide social media ban for children under 16. Australian authorities reported that social media companies collectively deactivated nearly five million teenage accounts during the first month after the law took effect.<\/p>\n
Canadian officials said the legislation could take approximately one year to pass through Parliament, followed by an estimated 18 months to establish the new digital regulator.<\/p>\n
The bill arrives amid growing scrutiny of AI platforms in Canada. In April, families affected by one of the country\u2019s deadliest mass shootings filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the company failed to alert authorities despite allegedly being aware of plans discussed through ChatGPT.<\/p>\n
Major technology companies have responded cautiously to the proposal. Google said it is committed to working with the federal government to improve online safety standards and provide parents with greater control over their children\u2019s online experiences.<\/p>\n
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it shares lawmakers\u2019 goal of creating safer online environments for young users and is reviewing the details of the proposed Digital Safety Act.<\/p>\n
Several other countries are considering similar restrictions. France, Denmark and Poland are examining tighter controls on children\u2019s social media use, while Greece has announced plans to block access to social media platforms for users under 15 beginning in January 2027.<\/p>\n
Experts note that Canada\u2019s proposal extends beyond age restrictions. Brett Caraway, an associate professor at the University of Toronto specializing in technology and privacy, said the legislation would impose broader obligations on digital platforms than Australia\u2019s law.<\/p>\n
According to Caraway, the Canadian proposal seeks to reshape the online ecosystem by requiring platforms to adopt stronger safety measures for children, while also addressing the growing influence of artificial intelligence technologies.<\/p>\n
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