Canada's Groundbreaking Digital Safety Bill: Protecting Teens Online

Canada introduces a digital safety bill banning social media for children under 16 unless platforms meet safety standards. The bill establishes a digital regulator for AI chatbots. Inspired by Australia, Canada joins nations like France and Greece taking steps to safeguard children online.

The Canadian government unveiled a new digital safety bill aimed at banning social media access for children under 16, with exceptions for platforms adhering to safety standards. This legislation follows Australia's ground-breaking social media ban for young people, marking Canada's proactive stance on digital safety.

In addition to addressing social media concerns, the bill seeks to enhance AI chatbot safety by creating a digital regulator to set safety standards. This move arrives amid lawsuits against OpenAI, where families allege the company failed to warn authorities about a mass shooting plot discussed on ChatGPT.

The proposed legislation reflects a global trend as countries like France, Denmark, and Greece consider similar measures to protect children online. As Prime Minister Mark Carney faces a slim majority in Parliament, passing the bill could take a year, with an 18-month timeline to establish the regulator once enacted.