Canada Bans Social Media for Kids Under 16 to Boost Safety

Canada is taking a bold step to protect the mental health of its youngest citizens by introducing legislation that would ban social media for children under 16.

The new Digital Safety Act, introduced Wednesday, goes beyond simple age restrictions. It creates a digital regulator to set safety standards for both social media platforms and AI chatbots, with companies facing penalties up to 3% of global revenue or C$10 million for violations.

"Social media platforms and AI chatbots are designed to capture attention," explained Marc Miller, Canada's minister of identity and culture. "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."

The legislation includes exemptions for platforms that meet certain safety standards, giving tech companies a path forward if they prioritize child protection. Google has already committed to working with the government to establish higher safety standards, while Meta says it's assessing the details to ensure safe, positive online experiences for young people.

Canada's approach builds on Australia's December 2024 law, which became the world's first social media ban for children under 16. Within a month of implementation, Australian social media companies collectively deactivated nearly 5 million teenage accounts, proving such policies can work at scale.

The Ripple Effect

Canada's proposal goes further than Australia's by tackling AI safety alongside social media, creating what experts call a more comprehensive framework. Brett Caraway, an associate professor at the University of Toronto, notes the Canadian law aims to redesign the entire social media ecosystem rather than simply restrict access.

The timing matters globally. France, Denmark, and Poland are considering similar rules, while Greece has announced it will ban social media access for children under 15 starting January 2027. Canada's comprehensive approach could become a model for countries worldwide struggling to balance innovation with child safety.

The bill's passage could take a year, with another 18 months needed to establish the digital regulator. That timeline gives tech companies room to adapt their platforms and develop safety features that could protect children while preserving beneficial digital connections.

The legislation empowers young Canadians to "connect in-person, build friendships, focus in school, and learn real-world skills so they can thrive," Miller said.