OTTAWA — Canada is bringing in a ban on social media for kids under the age of 16, but it is providing a carve-out for social media companies that can prove they have working safeguards in place for children.
Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller introduced the Liberal government’s long-awaited Safe Social Media Act on Wednesday. The bill will impose new safety requirements on social media companies, such as Instagram, X and Snapchat — and AI chatbots.
“Our parents cannot face these challenges alone, and the safety of children cannot be an afterthought,” Miller said after introducing the bill. “We need basic protection in place, so every child in this country can be safe on platforms they use every day.”
Under the proposed law, social media companies would be required to block users under 16 from creating accounts, with steep penalties for those that fail to comply. Companies could seek an exemption if they prove they have guardrails to protect children from bullying, or harmful content that encourages self-harm or body dysmorphia.
It also forces social media services to remove within 24 hours sexually explicit content that victimizes children and adults, including AI-generated deepfakes.
AI chatbots will not be included in the social media ban, but they will face additional regulations. These could include requirements to direct users to help when prompts explore suicide ideation, self-harm or criminal activity..
The bill will have to pass through Parliament before a ban comes into effect.
The legislation lands just in time for Ottawa to flaunt it on the world stage, along with its recently released AI strategy that also emphasizes safety. It gives Carney the ability to credibly argue for global rules on digital platforms, as Canada helps France push G7 allies to endorse a joint statement on online harms and child safety at the G7 Leaders’ Summit next week.
“It’s very important for the prime minister to show leadership on the world stage, and to support the efforts that have been taking place internationally,” Miller said while acknowledging Canada has fallen behind other jurisdictions.
He said it will be important for Western leaders to “stand together” on regulating tech companies.
A senior Canadian government official, speaking on condition of anonymity during a technical briefing on the prime minister’s upcoming visit to France, said Canada’s G7 sherpa would work ahead with counterparts in an attempt to get them on board with a shared statement. CEOs of major tech companies are also expected to attend next week’s meeting.
On Friday, Carney and French President Emmanuel Macron will meet to game out shared priorities.
In April, France said it wanted to use its G7 presidency to create a “common protection framework” for children online. But it had difficulty getting the U.S. and the U.K. on board.
The Trump administration has repeatedly warned against foreign countries seeking to regulate U.S. tech companies, arguing that the U.S. should maintain responsibility for governing its sector. Miller wouldn’t say if the Liberal government is worried about retaliation from the Trump administration, noting he’s “worried about the kids.”
Tech industry group Chamber of Progress, whose members include Apple, Google and Meta, called on the Liberal government to drop the ban, arguing they don’t work.
“Protecting young people should mean making digital spaces safer, not locking kids out. A ban could be in place for years while new rules are developed, and it risks distracting from the parts of the bill that can actually protect kids,” Josh Tabish, Chamber of Progress senior director for Canada, said in a statement.
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