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7h ago

Canada to Introduce Digital Safety Act Barring Under‑16s From Social Media

The bill would create a regulator to enforce youth‑focused online rules, with an exemptions path for compliant platforms.

Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller, centre, makes his way to a meeting of the federal cabinet on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Teenagers look at their mobile phone screens. Social media fills the gaps that society creates. In this case, the gap is a need for connection.
DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 01: Teenagers look at their phone screens displaying various social media apps on June 1, 2025 in Devon, England.
Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages Marc Miller speaks to reporters ahead of a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Overview

  • Federal ministers gave notice this week that they will table the Digital Safety Act after weeks of planning, signaling Ottawa’s intent to move quickly to restrict social‑media access for users under 16.
  • The proposed law would bar most children under 16 from major social platforms while letting companies apply for exemptions if they meet standards the new regulator sets.
  • The legislation would establish a Digital Safety Commission to police the rules and would require platforms that operate AI chatbots to meet safety duties rather than imposing a blanket chatbot ban.
  • Early evidence from Australia shows key enforcement problems — weak age checks, easy circumvention, high non‑compliance and migration of teens to smaller apps — raising questions about verification, privacy and real‑world effectiveness.
  • Provinces are reacting unevenly and public polls show strong support for restrictions, which could push Ottawa to pair age limits with design rules that curb addictive features such as autoplay, infinite scroll and personalized recommendations.