Canada just told Big Tech to keep its hands off the kids. The federal government introduced Bill C-34, officially named the Safe Social Media Act, which would ban children under 16 from accessing social media platforms entirely.
The bill, introduced by Culture Minister Marc Miller on June 10, goes further than just age-gating. It also establishes a new regulatory framework for AI chatbots, creating a dedicated digital safety regulator tasked with enforcing compliance across both social media and artificial intelligence.
What the bill actually does
The core prohibition is straightforward: no social media for anyone under 16. Platforms that can demonstrate they’ve implemented adequate safety measures can apply for exemptions, giving companies a pathway to stay accessible to younger users. Adult-content providers are completely barred from seeking exemptions.
Non-compliant companies face fines of up to 3% of their global revenue, or a maximum of $7.2 million.
