Canada Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-16s With Compliance Exemption
Canada introduced legislation Wednesday that would bar children under 16 from social media platforms unless companies demonstrate harm-reduction policies. The bill also creates a new regulator and sets fines up to the greater of $10 million or 3 percent of global revenue.
680news.comCanada introduced legislation on Wednesday that would prohibit children and teenagers under 16 from using social media platforms. The bill, called the Safe Social Media Act, was presented in the House of Commons by Culture Minister Marc Miller. It would establish a Digital Safety Commission of Canada whose members are appointed by cabinet.
Companies can avoid the ban if they show they have policies that minimize harm to minors. The maximum penalty for violations is the greater of $10 million or 3 percent of gross global revenue. The measure also covers AI chatbots and requires steps to limit harmful content. Officials said the requirements focus on user safety measures.
The proposal follows two failed attempts by the previous Liberal government to pass online safety legislation. It comes ahead of next week's G7 summit in France, where leaders are expected to discuss AI and child protection online. Sara Austin of Children First Canada said the exemption clause could encourage firms to improve safety policies for all users.
" — Culture Minister Marc Miller, June 2026 (BBC) Pressure increased after an 18-year-old used ChatGPT to discuss gun violence before a February school shooting in British Columbia that killed eight people. OpenAI later apologized in writing to victims' families.
Australia enacted a similar ban last year, but a government survey found about 70 percent of parents said their children remained on the platforms. The Australian government has opened five investigations into alleged non-compliance. Greece plans to implement a ban for children under 15 starting in January.
