Canada has introduced legislation to ban social media access for children under the age of 16. The Digital Safety Act, unveiled Wednesday, also includes provisions for regulating artificial intelligence chatbots. Companies failing to comply with the new rules will face substantial financial penalties. This move follows Australia’s earlier decision to prohibit social media for young people, making it a global pioneer in this area. The Canadian government cites growing concerns about the potential harms of social media and AI on children’s mental and emotional wellbeing as justification for the legislation. The act aims to create a safer online environment for minors and address emerging risks posed by rapidly evolving technologies. Details regarding enforcement mechanisms and specific chatbot regulations are expected to be released alongside the full legislation.