New Canadian Law Aims to Make Social Media and AI Tools Safer for Kids
The Canadian government presented a digital safety bill that would prohibit social media usage for individuals under 16, allowing exceptions for platforms that comply with specific safety criteria, following Australia's implementation of the world's inaugural social media ban for minors months earlier.
The legislation also seeks to enhance the safety of AI chatbots by creating a digital regulatory body to set safety standards, according to reports.
Firms may incur fines of 3% of worldwide revenue or a maximum of C$10 million ($7.2 million), depending on which amount is greater, for noncompliance.
"Social media sites and AI chatbots are created to attract focus. They hinder healthy childhood growth and have turned into a source of anxiety, isolation, depression, and various other mental health issues for numerous young Canadians," stated Marc Miller, minister of Canadian identity and culture.
This law will create a safer atmosphere for young Canadians and enable them to meet face-to-face, form friendships, concentrate on their studies, and acquire practical skills to help them succeed.
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The bill's presentation in Parliament follows weeks after families impacted by one of the nation's deadliest mass shootings took legal action against OpenAI, claiming the firm was aware the suspected shooter was preparing the assault on ChatGPT but failed to alert law enforcement.
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In December, Australia became the first nation globally to prohibit social media usage for individuals under 16. One month after the law was enacted, social media platforms altogether disabled nearly 5 million accounts belonging to teenagers.
Officials in a technical briefing stated that the bill might take a year to be approved and 18 months to establish the digital regulator after its passage.
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A representative for Google, the owner of YouTube, stated that the company is dedicated to collaborating with the federal government to set enhanced safety standards for all platforms, enabling parents to have the assurance and authority to select improved, safer online experiences for their kids.