Skip to Content Subscribe Our Offers My Account Manage My Subscriptions FAQ Newsletters Canada Canadian True Crime Canadian Politics Health World Israel & Middle East Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Comics NP News Quiz New York Times Crossword Horoscopes Life Eating & Drinking Style Sponsored Play for Ontario Travel Travel Canada Travel USA Travel International Cruises Travel Essentials Culture Books Celebrity Movies Music Theatre Television Business Essentials Advice Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Buy Canadian Home Living Outdoor Living Tech Style & Beauty Kitchen & Dining Personal Care Entertainment & Hobbies Gift Guide Travel Guide Deals Savings National Post Store More Sports Hockey Baseball Basketball Football Soccer Golf Tennis Driving Vehicle Research Reviews News Gear Guide Obituaries Place an Obituary Place an In Memoriam Classifieds Place an Ad Celebrations Working Business Ads Archives Healthing Epaper Manage Print Subscription Profile Settings My Subscriptions Saved Articles My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ Newsletters Canada World Financial Post NP Comment Longreads Puzzmo Diversions Life Shopping Epaper Manage Print Subscription HomeNewsCanadaCanadian PoliticsCarney government to ban social media for kids younger than 16, but will allow exemptionsThe bill is not expected to include the same type of ban for AI chatbotsLast updated 29 minutes ago You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.Prime Minister Mark Carney, with Diana Fox Carney and Evan Solomon reacts during an explanation of the Verto Health software given by Founder and CEO Michael Millar, during a visit to the Vector Institute at the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus Toronto in Toronto, Ontario on Thursday, June 4, 2026. Photo by Peter Power /PostmediaOTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is expected to table its long-awaited legislation aimed at online safety this week, including a ban on social media platforms for minors.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorA government official, speaking on the condition of background, confirmed plans to present a bill in the coming days, which will usher in a path to create a new regulator and target different types of harmful content online.The official confirmed that the government’s plan to establish a social media ban for minors younger than 16 will include provisions that allow platforms to seek exemptions should they demonstrate an ability to keep the youngest Canadians safe while using their products online.The bill is not expected to include the same type of ban for AI chatbots, but will establish a set of responsibilities platforms need to meet.Carney’s government has faced calls from child safety advocates and children’s health organizations since taking office last year to revive efforts that were advanced under former prime minister Justin Trudeau to legislate tech platforms to tackle the harms users face.The Trudeau government’s last bill, known as Bill C-63, died in Parliament in early 2025. Advocates and other proponents of tech regulation have argued that Canadian children are less protected than those living in the United Kingdom and Australia, which have their own online safety regimes and regulator.Canadian Heritage Minister Marc Miller, who is tasked with shepherding the Carney government’s new efforts to legislate against online harms, had previously said the federal government was “very seriously” looking at the idea of banning social media for minors, a policy first introduced by Australia.Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has said his province wanted to do the same.The tabling of the Carney government’s online safety bill comes just days after the prime minister and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon released the government’s AI strategy, which underscored how Ottawa would spend millions of dollars helping encourage more mass adoption of the nascent technology and listed that tens of thousands of new jobs would be created in the field.Opposition parties last week called that AI strategy short of details, including when it came to what safety measures and privacy protections the government would offer. The strategy did suggest that the Carney government would be moving ahead on measures to legislate around online safety.More to come.National PostOur website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.