Canada has introduced legislation that would ban social media access for children under the age of 16 and create new safety rules for artificial intelligence chatbots, as governments around the world move to address concerns over online risks for young people.
The digital safety bill, introduced in Parliament on Wednesday, would prevent minors from using social media platforms unless companies meet specific safety requirements. It would also establish a digital regulator responsible for setting standards for AI chatbot safety.
Companies that fail to comply with the rules could face penalties of up to 3% of their global revenue or C$10 million ($7.2 million), whichever amount is higher.
Government cites mental health concerns
Canadian Minister of Identity and Culture Marc Miller said the legislation aims to create a safer online environment for children, arguing that social media platforms are designed to maximize user attention and can contribute to mental health challenges.
“Social media platforms and AI chatbots are designed to capture attention,” Miller said, adding that they have become linked to issues including anxiety, isolation and depression among some young Canadians.
The government said the bill is intended to help young people spend more time building relationships offline, focusing on education and developing real-world skills.
AI chatbot rules included in wider digital safety plan
Unlike some similar measures focused only on social media, Canada’s proposal also targets artificial intelligence systems.
The planned digital regulator would establish safety standards for AI chatbots, following growing concerns over how such tools interact with users.
The legislation was introduced weeks after families affected by one of Canada’s worst mass shootings sued OpenAI, alleging that the company knew the alleged attacker was planning the incident through ChatGPT but did not alert police. OpenAI did not immediately comment on the matter.
Global push to restrict children’s social media access
Canada’s move follows Australia, which became the first country to ban social media use for children under 16 in December. After the law was introduced, social media companies deactivated the accounts of nearly 5 million teenagers.
Other countries are also considering tighter restrictions. France, Denmark and Poland are reviewing possible new rules, while Greece announced in April that it plans to block access for users under 15 starting in January 2027.
A technology and privacy expert at the University of Toronto said Canada’s approach would be broader than Australia’s because it focuses not only on limiting access but also on changing how online platforms operate.
The proposed Canadian rules could take time to come into force, with officials estimating that the bill may take a year to pass and that establishing the digital regulator could require an additional 18 months.
Tech companies respond cautiously
Google, which owns YouTube, said it supports working with the Canadian government to create stronger safety standards and help parents choose safer online experiences.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it shares the goal of creating safer online environments for young people and is reviewing the details of the proposed legislation.
X and Snapchat did not immediately respond to requests for comment to Reuters.
