Canada proposes social media ban for under-16s, targets AI chatbots

Canada has introduced sweeping legislation that would ban children under 16 from social media platforms and place new safety obligations on AI chatbots, an act the government says goes further than any similar law enacted to date.

Passed this week, the legislation will ban minors from using social media unless their platform meets certain standards of safety laid down by an independent digital regulator.

Failure to meet compliance may result in penalties ranging between 3% of total income worldwide and C$10 million ($7.2 million).

The bill is also aimed at AI chatbots. It marks the first time in any legislation at the national level where child protection goes beyond social media alone.

This week, Australia becomes the first nation to ban social media use by minors under 16 years old. Platforms have suspended almost 5 million accounts within a month.

An associate professor of technology and privacy at the University of Toronto, Brett Caraway, said that while the Canadian law seeks to "restructure the social media ecosystem", the Australian legislation seeks to control access to it. The provision regarding AI will also make a difference to Canada's scope of the bill.

YouTube parent Google said it was keen to work with Ottawa toward high safety standards. Instagram owner Meta said it was reviewing the provisions of the law. Formerly Twitter-owned X Corporation and Snapchat have not yet commented on their reaction.

A government insider suggested it may take at least a year for Canada's new social media law to be approved.