Canada introduces legislation that would bar children under 16 from using social media and also set new requirements for AI chatbot services. Multiple outlets report that the bill, introduced in Canada’s House of Commons by the culture minister, would require social media platforms to block access for users under 16 unless they put adequate safeguards in place. The same measure would create a framework to address harms associated with AI chatbots. Sources describe the proposal as a “Digital Safety Act” that seeks to make chatbot services safer by requiring them to limit the production of harmful content and mitigate related risks.
Several reports say the bill establishes or uses a digital regulator to set safety standards for the covered services. Japan Times and other outlets add that the legislation includes penalties for non-compliance. Japan Times specifies potential fines of up to 3% of global revenue or up to C$10 million (about $7.2 million), whichever is higher.
The proposals are presented as part of a broader international trend of governments seeking to reduce online harms to children through platform regulation.
