Thursday, June 11, 2026- Canada has introduced sweeping new digital safety legislation aimed at restricting children under 16 from accessing social media platforms while also tightening oversight of AI chatbot services.
The proposed law, known as the Safe Social Media Act, seeks to create a national framework that prioritizes child protection in online environments increasingly shaped by algorithm-driven content and AI systems.
Under the bill, social media companies would be required to prevent users under 16 from creating accounts unless they meet strict safety exemptions approved by a new regulatory authority.
The legislation also introduces a “duty to protect children,” requiring platforms to reduce exposure to harmful content such as cyberbullying, self-harm material, and exploitative material. In parallel, AI chatbot providers would be placed under regulatory standards designed to ensure safer interactions, including safeguards against harmful or unsafe outputs directed at minors.
Officials say the move reflects growing concern about the mental health and safety impacts of digital platforms on young users, as well as the rapid expansion of generative AI tools.
If passed, the law would position Canada among a growing group of countries tightening youth access to social media and establishing formal oversight of AI systems, marking a major shift in how governments regulate the digital ecosystem.
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