Canada Introduces Bill To Ban Social Media For Under-16s And Regulate AI Chatbots

From screen time concerns to questions about AI's influence on young minds, online safety has become a major topic for policymakers worldwide. Canada is now taking a major step forward with proposed legislation aimed at limiting social media access for children and increasing oversight of AI chatbots.

 

TL;DR

 

• Canada Proposes Social Media Ban For Children Under 16.
• New Digital Safety Bill Also Targets AI Chatbot Regulation.
• Companies Could Face Multi-Million Dollar Fines For Non-Compliance.

The proposal places responsibility on both social media companies and AI developers to meet stricter safety expectations. The Canadian government has introduced a Digital Safety Bill that would ban social media use for children under the age of 16, with exemptions for platforms that meet specific safety standards. The legislation also seeks to regulate AI chatbots by establishing a digital regulator responsible for setting and enforcing safety requirements.

Under the proposed law, companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to 3% of their global revenue or C$10 million, whichever amount is higher. Explaining the need for the legislation, Marc Miller, minister of Canadian identity and culture, said, “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."

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

The bill arrives as governments worldwide increase scrutiny of online platforms and AI technologies. It also follows a recent lawsuit in Canada in which families affected by a mass shooting alleged that OpenAI failed to act despite warning signs shared through ChatGPT. OpenAI did not immediately comment on the matter.
 
Canada’s proposal comes months after Australia became the first country to introduce a nationwide social media ban for children under 16. Several other countries, including France, Denmark, Poland, and Greece, are also considering or implementing stricter rules around youth access to social media.

Government officials estimate it could take around a year for the legislation to pass through Parliament and an additional 18 months to establish the new digital regulator. Experts say the Canadian proposal is broader than similar laws elsewhere because it addresses both social media platforms and AI systems, while also placing greater obligations on technology companies to improve online safety for children.