Canada has introduced legislation that could prohibit children under the age of 16 from opening social media accounts unless technology companies can demonstrate that their platforms are safe for young users.
The proposed law, tabled in Parliament by the Canadian government, forms part of a broader effort to strengthen online safety and protect children from harmful digital content.
Under the legislation, social media platforms would be required to prove that they have adequate safeguards in place to shield minors from online risks. Companies that meet the government’s safety standards could be granted exemptions from the ban.
Speaking on the proposal, Canada’s Minister of Culture, Marc Miller, said stronger measures were needed to protect young people online.
“We are failing our children. Enough is enough,” Miller said, emphasizing the need for basic protections against harmful online experiences.
The bill targets seven categories of harmful content, including material that encourages self-harm, incites violence or hatred, and the sharing of non-consensual intimate images.
As part of the framework, the government plans to establish a Digital Safety Commission to oversee compliance and enforce regulations. Officials said the criteria for granting exemptions to platforms would be released later, while the creation of the regulator could take up to 18 months.
The proposed legislation would also introduce age-verification requirements for social media users.
Canada joins a growing number of countries seeking to regulate children’s access to social media. Nations such as Australia, Brazil and Indonesia have already introduced or announced age-based restrictions, while the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand and South Korea are considering similar measures.
Platforms that host adult content would not be eligible for exemptions under the proposed Canadian rules.
In addition to regulating social media companies, the legislation would impose responsibilities on developers of artificial intelligence chatbots. The rules would require AI firms to adopt safeguards, including crisis intervention protocols, to mitigate potential harm to users.
The move follows developments in Australia, where authorities reported that social media companies removed approximately 4.7 million accounts identified as belonging to underage users after the country enacted a ban on social media access for children under 16.
Child safety advocates welcomed Canada’s proposal. Lianna McDonald, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, praised the legislation, citing a significant rise in online sextortion cases involving young people.
If passed, the legislation would mark one of Canada’s most significant attempts to regulate digital platforms and strengthen protections for children navigating online spaces.
