New digital safety bill also seeks tougher rules for AI chatbots and introduces heavy penalties for violations.
Image: Al Jazeera
Canada has introduced a new digital safety bill that would ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms unless companies meet specific safety requirements.
The proposed legislation also aims to regulate AI chatbots by creating a digital regulator responsible for setting and enforcing safety standards. Companies that fail to comply could face fines of up to 3% of global revenue or C$10 million.
The government says the measures are designed to protect young people from online harms, including anxiety, isolation, depression and other mental health challenges linked to excessive social media use.
The bill follows Australia’s landmark decision to ban social media for children under 16 and comes amid growing global concern over online safety. Countries including France, Denmark, Poland and Greece are also considering stricter rules for young users.
If approved, the legislation could take about a year to pass, with the new regulator expected to be established within 18 months. The proposal would make Canada one of the first countries to regulate both children’s social media access and AI chatbot safety under a single framework.
