The Canadian government proposed a new digital security bill on Wednesday (June 10) that aims to prohibit minors under the age of 16 from creating or owning social media accounts, unless the platforms can demonstrate that adequate protective measures have been established for minors. This move sees Canada joining countries like Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, and others in strengthening regulations for safeguarding minors’ online safety.
Canadian Minister of Culture Marc Miller stated when announcing the bill that the risks posed by social media to minors can no longer be ignored. “We have failed our children, and we cannot continue like this,” he said, emphasizing the need for establishing basic protection mechanisms to ensure the safety of children and teenagers in the online environment.
According to the contents of the bill, social media platforms wishing to allow users under the age of 16 must prove to the government that they have implemented sufficient security measures and qualify for an exemption. Government officials indicated that specific criteria for exemptions will be announced later, and platforms will also need to establish age verification mechanisms to comply with the regulations.
The bill will establish a regulatory framework for seven categories of harmful content, including encouraging self-harm among minors, inciting violence and hatred, and disseminating intimate images without the consent of the parties involved. Platforms providing adult content will not be eligible for exemptions.
Furthermore, the Canadian government plans to establish the “Digital Safety Commission of Canada” as a dedicated regulatory body responsible for reviewing whether platforms meet exemption standards. Miller mentioned that the establishment of this commission may take approximately 18 months.
Additionally, the bill will include AI chatbots in the regulatory scope, requiring relevant companies to take on corresponding responsibilities such as establishing crisis intervention mechanisms to mitigate potential security risks posed by AI products.
In recent years, many countries have tightened restrictions on minors using social media. Australia officially passed a law in 2025 that prohibits minors under the age of 16 from using social media, sparking widespread discussions on issues including technology use, privacy protection, child safety, and mental health. The Australian government recently stated that since the ban came into effect, major social media platforms have closed around 4.7 million accounts identified as being used by minors.
Apart from Australia, Brazil and Indonesia have introduced or announced similar age restrictions; countries like the UK, France, Spain, Denmark, Thailand, and South Korea are also studying or drafting similar policies.
Canadian government officials mentioned that they will draw on Australia’s experience to enhance future enforcement and regulatory mechanisms.
The Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Lianna McDonald, welcomed the bill, noting that in recent years, there has been a significant increase in cases of “sextortion” through social media, underscoring the urgency of strengthening online child safety protection.
(Reference: Associated Press reports)