Canada Weighs Social Media Ban For Under-16s In Major Digital Safety Overhaul

Published 9 June 2026 · tech

Canada Weighs Social Media Ban For Under-16s In Major Digital Safety Overhaul Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 14:00 IST Canada is set to

Canada Weighs Social Media Ban For Under-16s In Major Digital Safety Overhaul Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 14:00 IST Canada is set to propose a social media ban for children under 16 as part of a sweeping digital safety bill targeting online harms and AI risks. An AI-generated, representative image to show teenagers using social media (News18) Canada is set to propose a nationwide ban on social media use for children under the age of 16 as part of a major digital safety package expected to be introduced in Parliament this week, according to a report by The Globe and Mail. Citing a source familiar with the government’s plans, the newspaper reported that the proposed legislation would establish a new digital regulator tasked with creating safety standards for online platforms. Social media companies that comply with those standards could later seek permission to allow younger teenagers back onto their services.

The proposed bill, expected to be tabled on Wednesday, would represent one of Canada’s most significant attempts to regulate online platforms and address concerns about the impact of digital services on children and teenagers. According to the report, the legislation goes beyond social media restrictions and would require technology companies to take steps to limit harmful content online. It is also expected to introduce measures addressing risks associated with artificial intelligence chatbots, particularly those designed to function as digital companions. Concerns about AI-powered chatbots have grown in recent years, with advocates and families warning that some systems have provided dangerous guidance to vulnerable users. The report mentioned that worries have been raised about chatbots coaching children on suicide or offering advice on concealing eating disorders. The legislation is also expected to revive provisions from previous online harms bills that never became law. These measures would require platforms to quickly remove child sexual abuse material and reduce children’s exposure to content encouraging self-harm.

A key component of the proposed framework would be the creation of a digital regulator empowered to set standards aimed at protecting young users. Under the model being considered, social media platforms that demonstrate compliance with those requirements could apply for exemptions allowing users under 16 to access their services. The bill will be guided through Parliament by Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller, according to the report. Another expected provision would require AI companies to be more transparent about the thresholds they use when deciding whether to contact law enforcement after users express intentions to harm themselves or others. The issue came into focus following the February school shooting in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. According to the report, conversations between the shooter and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI had been flagged internally because they involved discussions related to gun violence scenarios. However, the interactions were ultimately not reported to the police.