Canada is taking a major step toward tightening online safety rules for young people, with a new bill that could prevent children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms.
The Canadian government has introduced new legislation that would ban children under 16 from using social media platforms unless those platforms meet strict safety requirements set by regulators. The proposal is part of a wider effort to make the internet safer for young people and increase oversight of both social media services and AI chatbots.
The bill, known as Bill C-34, was unveiled in Ottawa by Canada’s Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Marc Miller. If approved by Parliament, social media companies would be required to block access for users under the age of 16 unless they qualify for exemptions by meeting government-approved safety standards.
The proposal comes amid growing concern over the effects of social media on children and teenagers. “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,” Miller said while announcing the legislation.
He added that the goal of the legislation is to create a safer environment for young people. “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,” Miller said.
The government’s concern about children’s safety has been repeated several times in recent days. Speaking ahead of the bill’s introduction, Miller told reporters that protecting children had become a priority because, in his words, “kids are dying.”
The legislation would also create a new regulator known as the Canadian Digital Safety Commission. The body would be responsible for setting safety standards, monitoring compliance, conducting inspections, and imposing penalties on companies that fail to follow the rules.
Companies that violate the regulations could face fines of up to 3% of their global revenue or 10 million Canadian dollars, whichever amount is higher. Beyond social media restrictions, the bill also introduces new rules for AI chatbots.
Technology companies operating AI systems would be required to put safeguards in place to reduce harmful content, address potential cases involving self-harm or violence, and make it more difficult for users to manipulate AI tools into producing dangerous material.
The legislation also requires social media companies to respond more quickly to harmful content. Under the proposal, platforms would have 24 hours to remove certain illegal content after it has been reported. This includes child sexual abuse material and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
Prime Minister Mark Carney also defended the proposal, pointing to growing concerns about young people’s mental health. “More and more kids are suffering from anxiety, depression, self-harm and exploitation,” Carney said. “To keep our kids safe, we have to ensure that our laws keep up with technology.”
Supporters of the legislation argue that stronger protections are necessary as social media becomes increasingly influential in children’s lives. They believe technology companies should carry greater responsibility for protecting younger users from harmful content and addictive platform designs. However, the proposal is already generating debate.
Critics have raised concerns about how age verification will be implemented and whether the system could create new privacy risks. Some experts argue that requiring users to prove their age could lead to increased collection of personal data, while others question whether determined teenagers would simply find ways around the restrictions.
Australia introduced a similar social media ban for children under 16 in late 2025, and several other countries are considering comparable measures. France, Denmark, Poland, Greece, and the United Kingdom have all explored stricter controls on children’s access to social media platforms. Google and Meta have responded cautiously to Canada’s proposal.
A spokesperson for Google said the company is committed to working with the government to create stronger safety standards, while Meta stated that it supports safe and positive online experiences for young people and is reviewing the details of the legislation.
The bill still faces a lengthy legislative process before becoming law. Government officials estimate it could take about a year to pass through Parliament and another 18 months to fully establish the new regulatory system.
For now, the proposal has sparked a national conversation about the balance between child protection, online freedom, and the growing influence of technology in everyday life.
If approved, the legislation could become one of Canada’s most significant digital safety reforms and potentially influence how other countries approach social media use among children in the years ahead.
