Canada introduces legislation to ban social media for children under 16, regulate AI chatbots

The Government of Canada has introduced a landmark digital safety bill that would prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms unless those platforms meet strict government-approved safety standards.

The proposed legislation, unveiled on June 10, 2026, forms part of a broader effort to protect young people online and regulate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence chatbots.

If passed, the bill would establish a new digital regulator responsible for setting and enforcing online safety standards for social media platforms and AI-powered services operating in Canada.

Government officials say the proposed law is designed to address growing concerns about the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on children's mental health, safety, and overall well-being.

According to Marc Miller, many digital platforms are deliberately designed to capture and retain users’ attention, often at the expense of healthy childhood development.

“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,” he stated.

Mr Miller said the legislation would help create a safer digital environment while encouraging young people to focus more on in-person relationships, education, and practical life skills.

“This legislation will provide a safer environment for young Canadians and empower them to connect in-person, build friendships, focus on school, and learn real-world skills so they can thrive,” he added.

Under the proposed legislation, companies that fail to comply with the new rules could face significant financial penalties.

Authorities say offending firms could be fined up to 3 percent of their global annual revenue or C$10 million (approximately US$7.2 million), whichever amount is greater.

The bill is one of the most comprehensive digital safety proposals currently under consideration globally because it targets both social media platforms and artificial intelligence systems.

Beyond social media restrictions, the legislation seeks to make AI chatbots safer by introducing mandatory standards governing how such technologies interact with users, particularly minors.

The proposal comes amid growing international concerns about AI safety and accountability.

Its introduction follows a high-profile lawsuit filed by families affected by one of Canada’s worst mass shootings. The families have sued OpenAI, alleging that the company was aware of warning signs linked to the alleged attacker’s use of ChatGPT but failed to alert law enforcement authorities.

OpenAI had not publicly responded to requests for comment at the time the legislation was introduced.

The Canadian proposal arrives just months after Australia became the first country in the world to introduce a nationwide social media ban for children under 16.

Australian authorities reported that approximately five million teenage social media accounts were deactivated following implementation of the new law.

Canadian officials indicated that it could take up to one year for the legislation to pass through Parliament and a further 18 months to establish the proposed digital regulator once the law is enacted.

Major technology companies have begun reviewing the proposed legislation.

A spokesperson for Google, which owns YouTube, said the company supports efforts to improve online safety and is willing to work with the Canadian government to establish stronger protections for young users.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said the company is assessing the details of the proposed Digital Safety Act.

“Like lawmakers, we want safe, positive online experiences for young people, and we are assessing the details of the Digital Safety Act,” the spokesperson said.

Representatives of X, formerly Twitter, and Snapchat did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Canada joins a growing list of countries considering stricter controls on children’s access to social media.

Governments in France, Denmark, and Poland are currently exploring tougher regulations, while Greece has announced plans to restrict social media access for children under 15 beginning in January 2027.

Experts say Canada’s proposal goes beyond Australia’s approach by seeking not only to restrict access but also to redesign the broader digital ecosystem.

According to Brett Caraway, the Canadian framework would impose more extensive obligations on technology companies and address risks associated with both social media and artificial intelligence.

“The scope is broader since the Canadian law would tackle AI as well,” he noted.

The legislation is expected to generate significant debate in Parliament in the coming months as policymakers, technology companies, parents, and civil society groups weigh its potential impact on child safety, privacy, digital rights, and innovation.