**Canada Introduces Bill to Ban Social Media for Children Under 16**
On June 10, 2026, the Canadian government unveiled a significant digital safety bill aimed at protecting children from potential online harms. The proposed legislation, known as Bill C-34, seeks to prohibit social media access for individuals under the age of 16, with certain exemptions for platforms that adhere to established safety standards.
This initiative follows Australia’s recent enactment of a similar ban, making it the first country to restrict social media use for children under 16. Since the introduction of Australia’s law in December, social media companies have reportedly deactivated nearly 5 million accounts belonging to teenagers.
The Canadian bill also addresses the growing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. It proposes the establishment of a digital regulator tasked with setting safety standards for both social media and AI chatbot services. This move comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny over the role of AI in various incidents, including a recent lawsuit against OpenAI by families affected by a mass shooting in Canada. The lawsuit alleges that the company failed to alert authorities about potential threats communicated through its AI platform, ChatGPT.
During a technical briefing, government officials indicated that the legislative process for Bill C-34 could take up to a year, with an additional 18 months required to establish the digital regulator once the bill is passed. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who leads a minority government, faces a tight timeline as Parliament is set to break for summer recess soon.
The bill's introduction is part of a broader international trend, with countries like France, Denmark, and Poland also considering stricter regulations on social media use for minors. Greece has announced plans to implement a ban on social media access for children under 15, effective January 2027.
In its proposal, the Canadian government highlighted the need for comprehensive safety measures, stating that online harms are influenced not only by individual user behavior but also by the design and operation of digital services. Features such as algorithmic recommendation systems and engagement-driven feeds can exacerbate exposure to harmful content, particularly among young users.
To combat these issues, the bill outlines several key requirements for social media platforms and AI services. These include identifying risks of harm, implementing age-appropriate design features, providing user guidelines, and offering tools for users to block or flag harmful content. Additionally, platforms will be mandated to remove content that sexually victimizes children or involves the non-consensual sharing of intimate images within 24 hours of being flagged.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the Canadian government’s proposed legislation reflects a growing recognition of the need for enhanced protections for young users in an increasingly complex online environment. The outcome of this bill could set a precedent for other nations grappling with similar challenges in safeguarding children from the potential dangers of social media and digital interactions.