Canada moves to ban under-16s from social media, regulate AI

Canada's Culture Minister has introduced the proposed Digital Safety Act, aiming to ban social media accounts for individuals under 16 years old. This legislation also mandates that AI chatbot services must limit the production of harmful content. The move follows global concerns about the negative impacts of online platforms on children. Companies failing to comply with the new regulations could face fines of up to 3% of their global revenue or US$7.2 million. The act will be enforced by a Digital Safety Commission and includes provisions for social media platforms to mitigate risks associated with harmful content and label synthetically generated material.

Canada has introduced a new digital safety bill, the "Digital Safety Act," which proposes banning social media access for children under 16, with exemptions for platforms meeting specific safety standards. The legislation also aims to enhance the safety of AI chatbots by establishing a digital regulator to set industry safety standards. The Canadian government stated that social media and AI chatbots can negatively impact child development, contributing to anxiety, isolation, and depression. Companies failing to comply with the new regulations could face substantial penalties, including 3% of global revenue or up to C$10 million. This bill reflects a global trend of governments addressing concerns about online harms to children.