Canada moves to ban social media for under-16s

Canada is moving to restrict social media access for those under 16, with Culture Minister Marc Miller introducing a bill to the House of Commons. The proposed law aims to protect young people from the negative impacts of platforms designed to capture user attention, which Miller stated contribute to anxiety, isolation, and depression.

The legislation would mandate age verification for accessing services like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Companies could seek exemptions if they implement "sufficient measures" to protect children, though specific actions remain undefined. The bill also targets AI chatbots, requiring them to reduce the risk of generating harmful content, particularly in response to users expressing suicidal or violent thoughts.

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Social media platforms and AI bots are designed to capture the user's attention. They do not support the healthy development of a child. On the contrary, they promote youth anxiety, isolation, depression, and many other mental health challenges.

Violating companies could face fines. This initiative places Canada among nations considering stricter online regulations for minors. Australia enacted a similar law in late 2024, banning under-16s from platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube, though usage has persisted among some youth.

Canada's proposal is seen as more comprehensive than Australia's due to its inclusion of AI chatbot regulations. Assistant Professor Brett Caraway of the University of Toronto noted that the bill seeks to "redesign the social media ecosystem" for child safety, contrasting it with Australia's focus on access denial. The push for regulation, especially concerning AI bots, intensified after a February mass shooting where an 18-year-old used AI in his attack.

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The bill seeks to redesign the social media ecosystem so that it is safer for children. Australia's law is about blocking access to the entire ecosystem.