The proposed Digital Safety Act marks Canada as the latest in a series of nations tightening regulations on social media platforms due to concerns for children’s safety.
“We have witnessed the serious consequences of online harms… The protection of children must be a priority,” stated Culture Minister Marc Miller while unveiling the proposal.
The new legislation would bar children under 16 from having social media accounts, with an exemption “pathway” for companies demonstrating “sufficient safeguards” for minors, as indicated in the statement.
Social media services, including platforms catering to adults, would also be subject to new obligations under the law to “reduce risks associated with exposure” to various types of harmful content and to label AI-generated content.
The proposed regulations would be overseen by a Digital Safety Commission, which could impose fines of up to three percent of a company’s global revenue or CAD$10 million for non-compliance.
“This legislation will create a safer environment for young Canadians, enabling them to connect face-to-face, form friendships, concentrate on education, and acquire real-world skills for their future,” Health Minister Marjorie Michel remarked in her statement.
Education professor Sachin Maharaj from the University of Ottawa described the proposal as “a step in the right direction,” acknowledging “the link between social media and behavioral issues.”
“Naturally, kids will find ways to bypass” restrictions, he told AFP. “The larger challenge lies in modifying how the applications operate.”
AI rules
Beyond the social media restrictions, the new law will also address the growing presence of AI chatbots by mandating businesses to “lessen the risk of chatbots disseminating harmful content.”
Moreover, companies will need to establish transparency regarding “reporting standards in critical situations,” such as when a user expresses intent to harm themselves or others.
This issue has gained particular attention in Canada following a tragic mass shooting in April that resulted in nine fatalities in the small town of Tumbler Ridge, including the shooter.
OpenAI faced significant criticism after it banned the shooter from its platform in June last year due to concerning conversations on ChatGPT, yet it did not report the account to Canadian authorities, citing a lack of evidence for an imminent threat.
In December, Australia became the first nation globally to require TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and other major platforms to remove accounts belonging to users under 16 or risk substantial penalties.
Indonesia implemented its own social media ban for users under 16 in March, while various European governments have expressed intentions to pursue similar actions.
