The Canadian government has introduced legislation that would prohibit children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms unless those services meet specific safety standards.
The proposed Digital Safety Act also seeks to strengthen oversight of artificial intelligence chatbots through the creation of a dedicated digital regulator responsible for establishing and enforcing safety requirements.
Announcing the bill, Canadian Minister of Identity and Culture, Marc Miller, said social media platforms and AI chatbots are increasingly contributing to mental health challenges among young people.
Under the proposed legislation, companies that fail to comply could face penalties of up to three percent of global revenue or C$10 million, whichever is higher.
The bill follows similar measures introduced by Australia, which became the first country to ban social media access for children under 16.
Government officials estimate that it could take up to a year for the legislation to pass through Parliament, with an additional 18 months required to establish the proposed regulator.
Major technology companies, including Google and Meta, have said they are reviewing the proposal while expressing support for stronger online safety measures for young users.
