CANADA BANS SOCIAL MEDIA FOR UNDER-16s

The Canadian government introduced the regulatory measure to protect minors from potential harms associated with social media platforms. The ban applies broadly to social media services and aims to restrict younger users' access to these platforms. Beyond the age restriction, the legislation introduces fresh safety standards specifically targeting AI chatbot services. These requirements are designed to ensure such tools meet baseline safety criteria before deployment. The move reflects growing global concern over social media's impact on youth mental health, online safety, and screen time. Countries including Australia and the UK have implemented or proposed similar age-based restrictions. Implementation details and enforcement mechanisms remain part of the legislative process. The bill represents one of the stricter approaches to youth social media access among major democracies.