Ottawa moves to restrict social media for kids under 16
Canada’s federal government introduced the Safe Social Media Act, requiring social media platforms to restrict accounts for children under 16 unless adequate safeguards are implemented, while also mandating AI chatbots to flag harmful content like self-harm or violent ideation. The bill, led by Culture Minister Marc Miller, establishes a Digital Safety Commission to enforce regulations, though exemptions and enforcement timelines remain unclear.
Canada’s federal government introduced the Safe Social Media Act on Wednesday, proposing strict restrictions on social media access for children under 16. The bill, led by Culture Minister Marc Miller, requires regulated services—including traditional social media, live-streaming platforms, and adult content services—to block underage accounts unless they implement approved safeguards. Exemptions for adult content services are not permitted, while other platforms may seek exemptions through future regulations. The legislation also targets AI chatbots, mandating measures to detect and respond to harmful content, such as suicidal ideation or threats of violence. Public-facing AI services must reduce risks of generating dangerous material, aligning with global pressures to regulate emerging technologies. A Digital Safety Commission will oversee enforcement, develop guidelines, and handle compliance assessments. Officials estimate it could take 18 months to establish the regulator after the bill passes Parliament. The proposal follows months of public and advocacy pressure to address social media’s impact on youth mental health, including concerns over addictive design features like infinite scroll. The bill’s passage comes after a prior online harms proposal failed amid controversy, including criticism from Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over potential free speech restrictions. This new version omits Criminal Code amendments but retains core regulatory frameworks. Manitoba has separately proposed banning AI chatbots for under-16 users, highlighting growing regional and national focus on digital safety. The legislation was introduced amid heightened scrutiny of AI’s role in public safety, particularly after the Tumbler Ridge, B.C., mass shooting revealed OpenAI’s ChatGPT had received concerning messages from the shooter without law enforcement alerts. The government now seeks to balance youth protection with technological innovation under the new framework.
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