The bill comes months after Australia enacted a similar ban designed to make internet usage safer for young people.

Canada’s government has introduced Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, which will prohibit young people under the age of 16 from using social media, with exceptions made for platforms that meet specific safety standards. Another goal of the bill is to make AI chatbots safer by setting up a digital regulator to establish safety standards.

Minister of health Marjorie Michel said: “Social media platforms and AI chatbots are designed to capture attention. 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 healthy development of our children begins with their physical and mental wellbeing, which is grounded in strong and healthy social connections. This legislation will provide a safer environment for young Canadians and empower them to connect in-person, build friendships, focus in school and learn real-world skills so they can thrive.”

The bill will now have to pass through Canada’s Parliament before a ban comes into effect. Government officials stated in a technical briefing that it could potentially take up to a year for the bill to pass and, if it passes, 18 months to establish the digital regulator.

Companies that fail to comply with the rules could face penalties of 3pc of global revenue, or up to C$10m – whichever is worth more.

As well as the ban for under-16s, the proposed legislation requires regulated services to implement age-appropriate protections and safeguards for younger users, as well as enforce measures to reduce children’s exposure to certain content and high-risk interactions.

Regulated services will also be required to identify, mitigate and address the risks on their platforms.

Marc Miller, the minister of Canadian identity and culture with responsibility for official languages, said: “We have seen the very serious consequences that online harms can have. As technologies evolve, we must ensure our laws keep pace, because parents cannot face these challenges alone. 

“The safety of children cannot be an afterthought. This legislation will introduce stronger responsibilities for online platforms to ensure their services are safe by design and include appropriate measures to keep children safe.”

Canada is not the first region to consider limiting young people’s access to social media. In December of last year, Australia enacted the world’s first social media ban for minors under the age of 16, in a bid to bolster child safety. The ban affects Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, Twitch and TikTok.

Other regions that have considered implementing changes include the UK and France. In November of 2025, the European Parliament proposed an EU-wide minimum age to access social media, video-sharing platforms and AI companions.

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