Key facts
- Canada proposes banning social media for those under 16, with opt-in exemptions for 13-15 year olds and parental consent for under-13s.
- Tech firms can avoid the ban by demonstrating policies to minimize harm to minors.
- The proposed law includes measures to regulate AI chatbots and curtail 'harmful content'.
- A new regulator, the Digital Safety Commission of Canada, would be established.
- The maximum penalty for violations is $10 million or 3% of gross global revenue.
- The legislation comes ahead of the G7 summit, where child online protection is a key discussion topic.
Canada is moving to ban social media access for individuals under the age of 16, a move that mirrors legislation in Australia but includes an exemption for tech firms that demonstrate policies to minimize harm to minors. The proposed Safe Social Media Act, introduced by Culture Minister Marc Miller, also aims to regulate AI chatbots and curtail 'harmful content' online, establishing a new Digital Safety Commission of Canada to ensure compliance.
The legislation comes as other countries, including the UK and Greece, are also considering similar bans for minors. While Australia's ban has faced criticism for its effectiveness, Canada's inclusion of an exemption clause is seen by some advocates as a potential incentive for companies to improve safety measures.
Tech industry group Chamber of Progress, representing companies like Apple, Google, and Meta, opposes the ban, arguing it is ineffective and distracts from more constructive digital safety measures. The U.S. administration has also expressed concerns about foreign regulation of its tech companies.
Canada's push for online safety legislation follows a tragic school shooting where the suspect used ChatGPT, prompting scrutiny of AI safety and OpenAI. The proposed law defines seven categories of 'harmful content', with penalties up to $10 million or 3% of global revenue for violations.