Canada's government introduced the Digital Safety Act on June 10, 2026, proposing to ban children under 16 from having social media accounts, with exemptions allowed if companies demonstrate sufficient safeguards [1, 2]. The legislation also aims to regulate AI chatbot services by limiting harmful content and setting safety standards [1, 2].
The bill would establish a Digital Safety Commission to enforce the rules [1, 2]. Companies found violating the regulations could face fines up to 3% of their global revenue or C$10 million (US$7.2 million), whichever is higher [1, 2].
The move follows growing concerns about social media and AI causing anxiety, isolation, depression, and other mental health issues among Canadian youth. Canadian Culture Minister Marc Miller said, "We have seen the very serious consequences that online harms can have … The safety of children cannot be an afterthought" [1]. Miller added that "Social media platforms and AI chatbots are designed to capture attention. They do not support healthy childhood development and have become a source of anxiety, isolation, depression and a range of other mental health challenges for many young Canadians" [2].
Social media and adult content platforms would be required to mitigate exposure to harmful content categories and apply labels to synthetically generated content [1].
Australia enacted the world's first social media ban for young people earlier in 2026, preceding Canada's proposal by several months [2].
The Canadian legislation would represent one of the strictest regulatory frameworks for digital platforms and AI content in the world. Debate and consultations are expected as the Digital Safety Act moves through Parliament in the coming months.
