The federal government is introducing legislation to enact the “Safe Social Media Act” with the goal of making social media platforms and AI chatbots safer for kids.
Culture Minister Marc Miller is expected to share those details Wednesday at 5 p.m.
“We will take all reasonable measures to make sure kids are safe in this country. I think it’s obvious why it’s a priority, kids are dying,” Miller says.
The bill is anticipated to include a ban on social media for kids under 16.
READ MORE: Over two-thirds of Canadians support social media ban for kids under 16: poll
However, both the Globe and Mail and National Post reported that some platforms could be exempt if they meet certain safety standards.
Mohit Rajhans, author and media consultant, says there’s going to be a lot to unpack in this bill including how the government plans to ID children to ensure they are of age.
The online harms bill, a similar proposal introduced in 2024, did not pass before the 2025 election.
Support for social media bans has been growing since Australia became the first country to put these safety measures in place last December.
As a result, many other countries have been developing legislation to keep children safe online such as Britain, France, Denmark and Spain.
A recent online poll from Leger shows that more than two-thirds of Canadians support a social media ban for children under 16 but 60 per cent are skeptical that companies can actually enforce these rules effectively.
WATCH MORE: Liberal party ‘seriously’ considering under-16 social media ban
