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Government of Canada introduces legislation to make social media services and AI chatbots safer for children

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- YouTube

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Canada Introduces Legislation Ban Social Media Children Under 16 2026 06 10

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National Post

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Global News

Ottawa unveils plan to ban social media for youth  but not AI chatbots - National

Ottawa moves to restrict social media for kids under 16

Ottawa introduces bill to restrict social media for teens, regulate AI chatbots

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Ottawa moves to ban kids under 16 from social media

BBC News

Canada proposes teen social media ban - with workaround for tech firms

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Timothy Koskie

"They took the easy option, and it will fail."

“New accounts are being created and the age-verification tools that the government assured Australians would be effective, have proven laughably easy to bypass with some makeup and good lighting.”

“Tech-savvy teens simply use VPNs, fake birth photos for face scans, or migrate to less regulated platforms like Lemon8, or to platforms not part of the ban like video games. Enforcement is proving to be difficult in the days leading up to the ban.”

"Some verification methods are often inaccurate while others are easily circumvented.”

"Technological workarounds – such as VPNs and false age declarations – may undermine the effectiveness of the ban."

"This law will also push many users toward platforms that are more personal and private, like Telegram channels, WhatsApp Communities, and Signal Groups, which are not currently banned because they are important tools for encrypted and direct communication."

David Inserra

“Ultimately, reducing online harm would be a great outcome; however, we know from evidence that ‘banning’ anything from young people won’t work on its own.”

Louise La Sala

“There’s a fair amount of teething problems around it. Many young people have been posting on TikTok that they successfully evaded the age limitations and that’s to be expected.”

"I think it will help a lot of parents because it's not them saying no, it's an actual law."

Cassie Xintavelonis

“We don’t expect safety laws to eliminate every single breach. If we did, speed limits would have failed because people speed, drinking limits would have failed because, believe it or not, some kids do get access to alcohol.”

“The fact that teenagers occasionally find a way to have a drink doesn’t diminish the value of having a clear national standard.”

"Just as the banning of phones in school classrooms by many state governments hasn't on day one led to perfect compliance, now it's just accepted that there are improved educational outcomes, improved behaviour, improved social outcomes as a result."

"Australia's social media ban is already driving change, and is proof that the threat of regulation works, even before the law takes effect. Waiting for perfect policy risks paralysis when real progress is already within reach.”

Will Australia's Under 16 Social Media Ban be Effective?

Canada's Culture Minister Marc Miller introduced Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, in the House of Commons on June 10, 2026, proposing a ban on social media accounts for children under 16 and new regulations for AI chatbot services.

Canada's Culture Minister Marc Miller introduced Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, in the House of Commons on June 10, 2026, proposing a ban on social media accounts for children under 16 and new regulations for AI chatbot services.

The bill includes an exemption pathway allowing platforms to sidestep the under-16 ban if they demonstrate sufficient child safety safeguards, though adult content platforms would not be eligible for such exemptions.

The bill includes an exemption pathway allowing platforms to sidestep the under-16 ban if they demonstrate sufficient child safety safeguards, though adult content platforms would not be eligible for such exemptions.

Companies that fail to comply with the legislation could face fines of up to C$10 million or 3% of gross global revenue, whichever is greater. A new independent Digital Safety Commission would administer and enforce the rules.

Companies that fail to comply with the legislation could face fines of up to C$10 million or 3% of gross global revenue, whichever is greater. A new independent Digital Safety Commission would administer and enforce the rules.

The bill requires AI chatbot services to mitigate harmful content and implement crisis intervention protocols when users express intent to harm themselves or others. The legislation does not impose an age restriction on AI chatbots.

The bill requires AI chatbot services to mitigate harmful content and implement crisis intervention protocols when users express intent to harm themselves or others. The legislation does not impose an age restriction on AI chatbots.

Officials said it could take up to 18 months to establish the Digital Safety Commission after the bill passes. University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist said the legislation leaves much of its detail to cabinet and the future regulator.

Officials said it could take up to 18 months to establish the Digital Safety Commission after the bill passes. University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist said the legislation leaves much of its detail to cabinet and the future regulator.

A May 2026 Leger survey found 70% of Canadians support banning social media for children under 16, while 60% said they were not confident platforms could effectively enforce age verification. A March 2026 Angus Reid Institute survey put support for a full ban at 75%.

A May 2026 Leger survey found 70% of Canadians support banning social media for children under 16, while 60% said they were not confident platforms could effectively enforce age verification. A March 2026 Angus Reid Institute survey put support for a full ban at 75%.

Canada Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Canada youthProposes socialSocial mediaMedia banBan for Under-16s

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Canada Proposes Social Media Ban for Under-16s

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The Controversies

Australia

McIntosh

Orlando

Mackey

Commission

Inserra

Sala

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