Canada’s first steps towards a social media ban

The Canadian government’s proposed Safe Social Media Act introduces significant regulatory changes for online platforms and AI chatbots, aiming to mitigate harms like bullying and self-harm. While the legislation’s "duty to act responsibly" framework offers necessary flexibility, legal expert Dr. Michael Geist warns that the mandatory age verification for users under 16 poses severe privacy risks and potential constitutional challenges. The bill relies heavily on a yet-to-be-formed Digital Safety Commission, creating substantial uncertainty regarding enforcement and compliance. Furthermore, the inclusion of broad, omnibus-style measures—such as age-gating for adult content—threatens to delay more urgent, narrowly tailored safety improvements. Unlike social media, AI chatbots remain exempt from strict age restrictions, with the government prioritizing transparency over exclusion to foster technological adoption. This legislative approach risks becoming an arduous, years-long process that leaves critical safety issues unresolved.