OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney's government is set to introduce long-awaited online safety legislation this week, including a ban on social media platforms for minors under 16, with provisions for exemptions.
A government official, speaking on condition of background, confirmed plans to present a bill in the coming days. The legislation will establish a new regulator and target various types of harmful online content. The official stated that the social media ban will allow platforms to seek exemptions if they can demonstrate the ability to keep young Canadians safe while using their products.
The bill is not expected to include a similar ban on AI chatbots but will outline responsibilities platforms must meet. Carney's government has faced calls from child safety advocates and children's health organizations since taking office last year to revive efforts advanced under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to regulate tech platforms and address user harms.
The Trudeau government's Bill C-63, which aimed to tackle online harms, died in Parliament in early 2025. Advocates argue that Canadian children are less protected than those in the United Kingdom and Australia, which have their own online safety regimes and regulators.
Canadian Heritage Minister Marc Miller, responsible for shepherding the new online harms legislation, previously stated the federal government was "very seriously" considering a social media ban for minors, a policy first introduced by Australia. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has also expressed interest in implementing a similar ban provincially.
The tabling of the online safety bill comes days after Carney and Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon released the government's AI strategy, which outlines millions in spending to encourage mass adoption of the technology and promises tens of thousands of new jobs. Opposition parties criticized the AI strategy for lacking details on safety measures and privacy protections, though it suggested the government would proceed with online safety legislation.
More details are expected as the bill is introduced. This article will be updated.
