Canada is considering new legislation that could significantly change how children and teenagers access social media and AI chatbot platforms. Introduced on June 10, Bill C-34, known as the Safe Social Media Act, would prevent individuals under the age of 16 from creating or maintaining accounts on certain social media platforms unless companies meet strict child-safety requirements.

The proposed law is designed to address growing concerns about the impact of social media and AI technologies on young people. Research has linked excessive social media use to cyberbullying, mental health challenges, self-harm risks, and exposure to harmful content. Lawmakers argue that stronger protections are needed as online platforms become increasingly influential in children's daily lives.

Under Bill C-34, social media and AI companies could avoid age restrictions if they successfully limit children's exposure to harmful content, including hate speech, violent extremism, cyberbullying, child exploitation, self-harm material, non-consensual intimate images, and content that encourages violence.

The legislation would establish a new Digital Safety Commission of Canada, responsible for enforcing the rules, investigating complaints, monitoring platform compliance, and imposing penalties on companies that fail to meet safety standards. Fines could reach up to $20 million or five percent of a company's global revenue.

Unlike outright bans introduced in countries such as Australia, Canada's proposal is viewed by some experts as a temporary restriction designed to encourage companies to create safer online environments. Potential platform changes could include limiting addictive features such as infinite scrolling, restricting certain chat functions, improving content moderation, and creating child-friendly algorithms that reduce exposure to harmful material.

However, critics and digital rights advocates warn that the legislation raises important questions about enforcement, privacy, and effectiveness. While age verification methods have not been finalized, possible approaches could include facial recognition technology, behavioral analysis, or other verification systems, sparking concerns about user privacy and data collection.

Experts also note that many young users may find ways to bypass age restrictions, as has reportedly occurred in Australia. There are additional concerns that vulnerable groups, including LGBTQ+ youth, could lose access to supportive online communities and resources if restrictions are not carefully implemented.

Supporters argue that even if the measures are not perfect, reducing children's exposure to harmful online experiences could improve safety and well-being. At the same time, many experts stress that age restrictions alone are not enough and should be paired with stronger digital literacy education to help young people safely navigate online spaces.

If passed, Bill C-34 would undergo a formal review after three years and every five years thereafter. The legislation could also place increased pressure on major technology companies to redesign platforms with child safety and well-being as a higher priority.