Canada's Safe Social Media Act would bar anyone under 16 from social media platforms, joining similar restrictions in Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia. The legislation requires platforms to design safer products for children and remove harmful content including deepfakes and material that sexually victimizes minors.

Platforms must implement user blocking tools, clear reporting methods, and AI content labels to prevent exposure to harmful material. However, AI chatbot services escape the age restriction since they lack social media's community dynamics, according to Minister Marc Miller.

The bill responds to incidents like OpenAI's handling of the Tumbler Ridge shooting, requiring AI platforms to prevent harmful chatbot behavior and establish emergency crisis protocols. The Digital Safety Commission of Canada, created by separate legislation, will define specific requirements and can grant exemptions to platforms with adequate child safeguards.

This represents a significant shift in digital regulation, potentially influencing other nations' approaches to protecting minors online while balancing free speech concerns.