Ottawa's new Digital Safety Act expected to include under-16 social media ban
The bill would also create a digital regulator and add safety rules for AI chatbots, as officials say harmful content is affecting children.
- The federal government will introduce the Digital Safety Act on Wednesday, proposing a social media ban for Canadians under 16. Culture Minister Marc Miller stated the legislation is needed because "kids are dying."
- Miller justified the legislation by resurrecting an online harms strategy that previously died when former prime minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament in early 2025. The government conducted months of consultations before reintroducing the bill.
- While Australia enacted a similar age-based law last year, University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist argued that an outright ban could fail to hold tech companies accountable. He acknowledged social media is a "serious issue" for kids.
- Justice Minister Sean Fraser pushed back against accusations the government is trampling on free speech, stating, "You don't have to give up your freedoms in order to ensure people can live safe in a society."
- Platforms meeting new safety standards may obtain exemptions under the proposed framework, which also addresses harms from artificial-intelligence chatbots. It remains to be seen exactly how officials will implement or enforce these rules in Canada.
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78 Articles
Editorial: Ottawa's social media bill is welcome. It won't save us from ourselves
It will be no surprise to longtime readers of Canadian Affairs that we welcome Ottawa’s new proposed social media legislation. Since our launch three years ago, we have been writing about the harms of excessive social media and smartphone use, particularly to youth and children.
Why Is Canada Banning Social Media For Children? New Bill Would Bar Under-16s From Instagram, TikTok And More
Canada is moving towards some of the toughest online safety rules in the world after introducing legislation that would prevent children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms unless those services meet specific safety requirements. The proposal, unveiled by the federal government on Wednesday, is part of a broader digital safety package that would also impose new obligations on artificial intelligence chatbots. Ministers argu…
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