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ProPakistani
North American Country Joins List of Major Nations Banning Social Media for Children
The Canadian government has proposed the Safe Social Media Act, which would ban children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms. This legislative move is part of a broader global trend, with countries like Australia and Malaysia also implementing similar restrictions to protect children from online dangers such as exploitation and mental health risks. The Act compels social media companies to implement stronger protections and may impose significant penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, while it doesn’t ban children's use of AI chatbots, it sets requirements for these services as well.
MonitorConfidence: MediumMid term horizonRegulatory risk: High
Published 11 Jun 2026, 12:56 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Bill bans social media accounts for children under 16
- Companies must enhance protections for children
- Penalties for non-compliance could be substantial
- Legislation is part of a global trend on youth online safety
- Digital Safety Commission will enforce new rules
Interesting facts
- The bill is inspired by concerns over youth mental health and online exploitation
- Countries like Australia and Indonesia have introduced similar laws
- The Digital Safety Commission of Canada is a new regulatory body established to oversee compliance