• Canada introduces legislation banning social media for children under 16, with exemptions for compliant platforms.
• The bill aims to regulate AI chatbots to ensure they do not produce harmful content.
• Companies face potential fines of up to 3% of global revenue for non-compliance with the new regulations.
• The move follows concerns about online safety after recent violent incidents linked to social media usage.
• Other countries, including Australia and Greece, have enacted similar laws to limit children's access to social media.

The Canadian government has unveiled a new digital safety bill aimed at banning social media for children under the age of 16, similar to a law passed in Australia. The Digital Safety Act not only prohibits minors from having social media accounts but also allows exemptions for platforms that can demonstrate sufficient safeguards for young users. Culture Minister Marc Miller emphasized the bill as a crucial step towards protecting children's online safety, stating, “The safety of children cannot be an afterthought,” according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The legislation also specifically addresses the regulation of AI chatbots, requiring them to limit the production of harmful content. This move comes in the light of escalating concerns regarding the mental health risks associated with social media and AI usage among young individuals. The bill proposes the creation of a Digital Safety Commission tasked with enforcing these new regulations, which may involve penalties of 3% of a company's global revenue or a maximum fine of C$10 million (approximately $7.2 million) for non-compliance, as reported by BBC and South China Morning Post.

Following a tragic mass shooting incident in April, concerns surrounding the internet's impact on youth have intensified in Canada, influencing the urgency of this legislation. The proposed bill reflects a comprehensive understanding of the digital landscape's influence on children's safety and well-being, especially after reactions to the use of ChatGPT by suspects in the violent incident. Furthermore, international peers like the UK and several European nations are looking to implement similar laws, indicating a growing global consensus on stricter regulations regarding children's access to social media, according to Reuters and BBC.