Canada Joins Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia in Restricting Social Media for Children Under 16

Canada has joined Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia in protecting children under the age of 16 in the digital space through social media restrictions. The rule was introduced as the Safe Social Media Act by Canada’s Minister of Identity and Culture, Marc Miller. According to Engadget on Wednesday (10/6) local time, in addition to banning children under 16 from having social media accounts, the regulation also places new expectations on AI chatbot services. The act requires social media platforms to design their products to be safer for children. Digital platforms are also required to remove negative content such as deepfakes or material that can ‘sexually abuse children or re-victimize survivors’. The introduction of restrictions such as AI content labels, methods for reporting harmful content, and tools to block unknown users is also expected from digital platforms in hopes of preventing further exposure of harmful content to users. ‘Chatbots have not been studied as deeply as the harmful effects caused by social media platforms,’ Miller said during a press conference announcing the rules. He further stated, ‘They do not have the same social role.’ Nevertheless, the regulation also includes provisions on ‘AI chatbot services,’ which appears to be a response to OpenAI’s handling of the Tumbler Ridge shooting on 10 February 2026. Under the rules, AI platforms are required to reduce the risk of chatbots conveying harmful content to users and engaging in harmful behaviour. Additionally, chatbots are expected to provide emergency measures for handling crisis situations. The details of what digital platforms must do for users over the age of 16 will be determined by another agency, the Digital Safety Commission of Canada. Miller mentioned that a new commission will be formed under a separate Digital Safety Commission of Canada Act. The commission will enforce the rules and can grant exemptions to platforms deemed capable of providing protection for child users.