Canada has introduced the Safe Social Media Act to tighten protections for children online by restricting access for users under 16 and increasing platform accountability. Mark Carney said the law is needed as rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm and exploitation among youth rise and technology evolves. The move follows similar policy discussions in the U.K. and legal pushback in the U.S., while companies like Meta have already rolled out new teen-safety measures.
Canada Introduces 'Safe Social Media Act' to Restrict Under-16 Access and Hold Platforms Accountable
Canada Unveils Safe Social Media Act As Mark Carney Says Laws Must 'Keep Up With Technology'
Canada's federal government has introduced the Safe Social Media Act, a proposed law designed to strengthen online protections for children by restricting social media access for users under 16 and increasing accountability for technology and AI platforms.
Finance Minister and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney announced the bill in a post on X on June 10, 2026, saying the measure is intended "to protect our kids online" and to ensure "our laws keep up with technology." Carney highlighted rising rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm and exploitation among young people as a driving reason for the reforms.
What the Bill Would Do
The proposed legislation would require platforms — including social media and AI services — to adopt stronger safety-by-design practices and clearer accountability measures for harms affecting children. One prominent element of the bill is a restriction on access to social media for users under 16, alongside obligations for companies to demonstrate they are minimizing risks to young users.
International Context and Industry Response
Similar policy debates are underway abroad. In the U.K., Prime Minister Keir Starmer has considered measures to reduce children's exposure to harmful content, including proposals around screen-time limits, nighttime curfews and curbs on addictive features. In the U.S., a federal judge temporarily blocked Virginia's proposal that would have limited social media use for under-16s to one hour per day without parental consent, citing likely First Amendment conflicts.
Technology companies have begun implementing safety steps for younger users. Last year, Meta updated policies for teens — requiring parental permission for Instagram live streaming, tightening sensitive-content protections and expanding Teen Account safety features across Facebook and Messenger.
Mark Carney (on X, June 10, 2026): "To keep our kids safe, we have to ensure that our laws keep up with technology."
Canadian officials say the Safe Social Media Act aims to push platforms toward stronger default protections for young users and to create more transparent accountability when harms occur. The bill's introduction marks another step in a global trend of governments adopting regulatory responses to social media- and AI-related risks affecting children.
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