Canada says it is “failing its children,” and now the government is preparing one of the most aggressive crackdowns on social media access anywhere in the world. A new bill would bar most children under 16 from holding social media accounts while also introducing tougher rules for AI chatbots, marking a major escalation in the global effort to protect young people online.
Canada has introduced landmark legislation that could prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms unless companies can prove their services meet strict safety requirements. The proposal places the country alongside a growing list of governments attempting to curb the influence of digital platforms on young people.
The legislation, unveiled by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government, forms part of a broader digital safety package designed to address concerns about youth mental health, online exploitation, harmful content, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence tools.
Culture Minister Marc Miller delivered the government’s message in blunt terms.
“We are failing our children. Enough is enough. We need basic protection in place.”
Under the proposal, social media companies would be required to block access for users younger than 16 unless they can demonstrate that their platforms have implemented sufficient safeguards for children. Platforms focused on adult content would not qualify for exemptions.
The bill targets a wide range of harmful online content, including material that encourages self-harm, promotes violence, spreads hate, or involves non-consensual intimate images. Government officials argue that existing protections have failed to keep pace with the risks young people face online.
But social media is only part of the government’s plan.
The legislation would also introduce oversight for AI chatbots, requiring companies developing artificial intelligence systems to meet new safety obligations. A new digital regulator would be created to establish standards and enforce compliance across both social media platforms and AI services. Companies that violate the rules could face fines of up to 3% of global revenue or C$10 million, whichever is greater.
The timing is significant.
The bill arrives just weeks after families affected by one of Canada’s deadliest mass shootings filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging the company failed to alert authorities despite interactions with the suspected attacker through ChatGPT. While the lawsuit remains unresolved, it intensified public debate over the responsibilities of technology companies.
Canada is not acting alone.
Australia became the first country in the world to implement a nationwide social media ban for children under 16 in late 2025. Other countries, including France, Denmark, Poland and Greece, are considering similar restrictions as concerns grow over the impact of social media on children’s mental health and development.
Supporters of the legislation argue that governments have waited too long to address the issue.
Child protection advocates point to rising cases of online exploitation, cyberbullying, sextortion, and mental health challenges among teenagers as evidence that stronger intervention is necessary.
Yet critics are already raising questions.
Privacy advocates and digital rights groups warn that enforcing age restrictions could require extensive age verification systems, potentially creating new concerns around surveillance and personal data collection. Others argue that determined teenagers may simply find ways around restrictions through VPNs, fake accounts, or alternative platforms. Community discussions across Canada have reflected those concerns, with many questioning whether age verification measures can be implemented without compromising privacy.
The debate is no longer about whether social media affects children. It is increasingly about whether governments should step in and decide when young people are old enough to participate in the digital world.
Even if the legislation ultimately becomes law, implementation will not happen immediately.
Officials estimate it could take up to a year for Parliament to pass the bill and another 18 months to establish the new regulator and enforcement framework.
For now, the proposal represents one of the most ambitious attempts yet to reshape the relationship between young people and technology.
Whether it becomes a model for other countries or a test case for the limits of digital regulation may depend on what happens next in Canada’s Parliament.
