Federal bill banning kids under 16 from social media introduced today
Ottawa tabled the Digital Safety Act, which would restrict minors' access to platforms and require AI chatbot safeguards.
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The federal government is introducing legislation today to restrict social media access for children under 16 and regulate AI chatbots, citing child safety as a priority.
Culture Minister Marc Miller will hold a news conference at 5 p.m. ET after a technical briefing on the Digital Safety Act and the Digital Safety Commission of Canada Act.
Platforms that meet safety standards could obtain exemptions from the ban. Miller said Tuesday the government will take all reasonable measures to protect children, noting that the legislation is urgent because "kids are dying."
The move comes as Ottawa grapples with how social media and online harms affect young people. The timing coincides with mounting pressure from child safety advocates and parents concerned about platforms' role in teen mental health and online exploitation.