Canadian authorities on Wednesday introduced a new digital safety bill that would ban social media for children under 16, with exemptions for platforms that meet certain safety standards.
The proposal also seeks to bring AI chatbots under a new regulatory framework, as the government says digital services have not kept pace with the scale and severity of online harms.
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Today, our government introduced new legislation to protect our kids online. Canada’s Safe Social Media Act will hold social media and AI platforms accountable, make them safer, and restrict access to social media for children under 16.
More and more kids are suffering from…
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) June 10, 2026
A sterner eye on the scrolling machine
The legislation, described by Al Jazeera as the proposed “Digital Safety Act,” is part of a broader push by Ottawa to tighten controls on platforms accused of amplifying harmful content among young users.
In the government’s view, design features such as recommendation systems, autoplay and endless scrolling can intensify exposure to risky material, especially for children and teenagers.
Marc Miller introducing the “Safe social media act”
The Government of Canada is banning kids under 16 from social media platforms.
More Government control over our lives is being ushered in under the guise of safety. This entire announcement was filled with nothing but endless… pic.twitter.com/4qNFjQCV1c
— Ryan Gerritsen (@ryangerritsen) June 10, 2026
A case for putting childhood first
Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller said in a statement that “the safety of children cannot be an afterthought.”
He also said social media platforms and AI chatbots “are designed to capture attention” and have become a source of “anxiety, isolation, depression” and other mental-health challenges for many young Canadians.
Miller added that the legislation would help create “a safer environment for young Canadians” and allow them to “connect in-person, build friendships, focus in school, and learn real-world skills.”
Compliance, or a costly reckoning
Under the proposal, companies that fail to comply could face penalties equal to 3% of global revenue or C$10 million, whichever is higher.
The bill also includes a requirement for platforms to remove certain flagged content within 24 hours. Government officials told a technical briefing that the bill could take about a year to pass and another 18 months to set up the digital regulator after that.
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The wider world follows suit
Canada’s move comes months after Australia became the first country to ban social media for children under 16.
The Canadian proposal is part of a wider international shift: France, Denmark and Poland are considering tighter rules on children’s social-media access, while Greece has announced a ban for users under 15 from January 2027.
FAQs
Q1: Why is Canada banning social media for children under 16?
Ans: Canada says the proposed law aims to protect children from online harms, including harmful content, addictive platform features, and mental health risks linked to social media use.
Q2: What happens if social media companies break Canada’s new rules?
Ans: Under the proposed legislation, companies could face fines of up to 3% of global revenue or C$10 million if they fail to comply with the child safety requirements.
