Canada has introduced a bill that would bar under-16s from social media and, in a twist that sets it apart from other countries, regulate AI chatbots in the same sweep.
The Digital Safety Act, tabled on Wednesday, is the latest move in a global wave of governments cracking down on platforms over harm to children. Canada’s version is broader than most.
It is not a blanket ban. Platforms can apply for an exemption if they prove they meet strong safety standards, an approach designed to push companies to redesign their services rather than simply lock children out.
‘The safety of children cannot be an afterthought,’ said Marc Miller, the minister of Canadian identity and culture, who is steering the bill for Mark Carney’s government.
Chatbots in the crosshairs
