Canada bill bars U-16s from social media

Ottawa: Canada has introduced the Safe Social Media Act, a digital safety bill that would bar children under 16 from holding social media accounts unless platforms secure exemptions by proving adequate safeguards.

Introduced by Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller, Bill C-34 would also regulate AI chatbot services such as ChatGPT and impose new safety requirements on online platforms. The legislation seeks to make companies responsible for preventing harm, including cyberbullying and harmful online interactions, before it occurs.

The bill would establish a Digital Safety Commission of Canada to oversee complia­n­ce. Violations could attract penalties of up to CAD 10 million or 3% of global revenue, whichever is higher.