Canada has introduced a sweeping digital safety bill that would ban social media access for children under the age of 16 and establish new rules for artificial intelligence chatbots, placing the country at the forefront of efforts to regulate online platforms and protect young users.

The proposed legislation, unveiled on Wednesday, follows similar moves by governments around the world to address concerns over the impact of social media and AI on children’s mental health, privacy and safety. If passed, Canada would become one of the first countries to introduce a nationwide age-based restriction on social media access.

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

The bill would prohibit children under 16 from using social media platforms unless those platforms meet specific safety standards set by a new digital regulator.

Companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to 3% of their global revenue or C$10 million (US$7.2 million), whichever amount is greater.

Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller said the legislation was designed to address growing concerns about the effects of digital platforms on young people.

“Social 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,” Miller said.

He added that the proposed law would encourage young people to spend more time developing real-world relationships, focusing on education and building life skills away from screens.

AI Chatbots Also Face New Oversight

Beyond social media, the legislation would also introduce regulatory oversight for AI chatbots.

A new digital regulator would be tasked with establishing safety standards and ensuring that AI systems operating in Canada meet requirements designed to protect users, particularly children and vulnerable groups.

The move comes amid growing concerns worldwide over the rapid spread of generative AI technologies and their potential impact on misinformation, privacy and mental health.

Growing Pressure on Tech Companies

The bill arrives at a sensitive moment for the technology industry.

Just weeks ago, families affected by one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging that the company failed to alert authorities despite signs that the alleged attacker had discussed violent plans with ChatGPT.

The case has intensified debate over the responsibilities of AI developers and online platforms.

Major technology companies responded cautiously to the proposed legislation.

Google, which owns YouTube, said it was committed to working with the government to improve online safety standards. Meanwhile, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it was reviewing the details of the Digital Safety Act.

Representatives for X and Snapchat did not immediately comment.

Following Australia’s Lead

Canada’s 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 millions of teenage accounts were deactivated following the law’s introduction, making it one of the most significant digital policy experiments undertaken by any government.

Several European countries are considering similar measures. France, Denmark and Poland are exploring tighter restrictions, while Greece has announced plans to block social media access for children under 15 from 2027.

A Broader Approach

Experts say Canada’s proposal goes beyond Australia’s model.

Brett Caraway, a technology and privacy researcher at the University of Toronto, argued that the Canadian bill focuses not only on restricting access but also on changing how platforms operate.

According to Caraway, the legislation seeks to redesign the digital environment itself by imposing broader safety obligations on technology companies and extending regulation to AI systems.

Long Road Ahead

The bill must still pass through Parliament, a process officials estimate could take up to a year. Once approved, establishing the new digital regulator may take an additional 18 months.

Prime Minister Mark Carney holds only a slim parliamentary majority, and lawmakers are expected to break soon for their summer recess, potentially slowing the legislation’s progress.

If enacted, the Digital Safety Act would mark one of the most ambitious attempts yet to regulate both social media and artificial intelligence, reflecting growing international efforts to make online spaces safer for children in an increasingly digital world.

(with inputs from Reuters)