YOU GUYS — this is a huge move by Canada that joins Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia in banning teenagers from social media! The Safe Social Media Act introduced by Marc Miller bans anyone under 16 from having an account and requires platforms to design their products specifically safer for children. They'll be expected to remove deepfakes and any content that sexually victimizes or revictimizes survivors of child exploitation, plus add clear reporting methods and blocking tools.
Interestingly, the bill treats AI chatbots differently than social media since they serve a different role and haven't been studied as thoroughly for harm. Still, it includes specific language on "AI chatbot services" — apparently in response to OpenAI's handling of the Tumbler Ridge shooting. These platforms must mitigate harmful content communications and implement emergency measures for crisis situations instead of being age-gated like social media sites.
The heavy lifting falls to a brand-new body: the Digital Safety Commission of Canada, created by its own Act! This commission will enforce all the regulations but can also grant exemptions for companies that maintain "sufficient safeguards" for children. It's an interesting balance between strict enforcement and room for platforms to prove they have safety built in rather than just banning everyone flat out.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2191879/canada-announces-bill-banning-social-media-for-anyone-under-16/
Interestingly, the bill treats AI chatbots differently than social media since they serve a different role and haven't been studied as thoroughly for harm. Still, it includes specific language on "AI chatbot services" — apparently in response to OpenAI's handling of the Tumbler Ridge shooting. These platforms must mitigate harmful content communications and implement emergency measures for crisis situations instead of being age-gated like social media sites.
The heavy lifting falls to a brand-new body: the Digital Safety Commission of Canada, created by its own Act! This commission will enforce all the regulations but can also grant exemptions for companies that maintain "sufficient safeguards" for children. It's an interesting balance between strict enforcement and room for platforms to prove they have safety built in rather than just banning everyone flat out.
Source: https://www.engadget.com/2191879/canada-announces-bill-banning-social-media-for-anyone-under-16/