16.38^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jun 11, 2026 2:12 PM - Connect Newsroom - Ramandeep Kaur with files from The Canadian Press

Proposed Safe Social Media Act would restrict access for children under 16

Share On

proposed-safe-social-media-act-would-restrict-access-for-children-under-16

Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Mark Miller speaks about the proposed Safe Social Media Act in Ottawa.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

The federal government introduced the Safe Social Media Act on Wednesday, proposing to prohibit children under the age of 16 from using social media platforms and imposing significant penalties on companies that fail to comply.

Under the proposed legislation, companies found in violation of the rules could face fines of up to three per cent of their total global revenue. According to the federal government, the measure is intended to strengthen online protections for young people and reduce their exposure to harmful digital content.

The bill was introduced amid ongoing discussions about child safety online following the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. However, the government has chosen not to include a ban on artificial intelligence chatbots in the legislation.

Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Mark Miller said the government does not believe it is the right time to prohibit AI chatbots. He said that decision is why provisions banning AI chatbot use were left out of Bill C-34.

Instead, Miller said the legislation aims to establish a digital regulator that would oversee online platforms and help ensure AI-powered services operate more safely through regulatory oversight.

Latest news

woman-fatally-shot-in-torontos-etobicoke-suspect-arrested-police-say

Woman fatally shot in Toronto's Etobicoke; suspect arrested, police say

A woman was fatally shot in Toronto's Etobicoke neighbourhood early Saturday morning, and a suspect has been arrested, according to Toronto Police. Police said officers responded to reports of a shooting at about 7:20 a.m. near Humberwood Boulevard and Rexdale Boulevard. The woman was found with gunshot injuries and was pronounced dead. Police have not publicly identified the victim or the accused, and the investigation remains ongoing. An eyewitness told media the victim appeared to be a woman in her early 20s and was walking from a nearby bus stop when a man approached her from behind, brief

surrey-council-to-vote-on-contract-for-56-new-speed-bumps-near-schools-and-parks

Surrey Council to Vote on Contract for 56 New Speed Bumps Near Schools and Parks

The City of Surrey is moving ahead with plans to install 56 new speed bumps near schools and parks as part of efforts to improve safety for children and pedestrians. Surrey City Council is scheduled to vote Monday on a contract to carry out the project. According to the council agenda, the project will be funded through the City's 2026 transportation budget. If approved, installation is expected to begin later this month, with work targeted for completion by the end of September ahead of the new school year. The proposed construction schedule would allow work to take place Monday through Frida

roundtable-to-examine-canadas-proposed-safe-social-media-act

Roundtable to examine Canada's proposed Safe Social Media Act

The federal government is set to hold a roundtable discussion on Monday to examine the proposed Safe Social Media Act, known as Bill C-34, as consultations continue on new digital safety measures. According to the government, Canadian Culture Minister Mark Miller will co-chair the discussion with British Columbia Member of Parliament Patrick Weiler. The meeting is expected to focus on key provisions of the proposed legislation and broader digital safety regulations. The government introduced Bill C-34 in the House of Commons in June. The proposed legislation would prohibit children under the a

livingstone-avenue-closed-through-the-weekend-in-abbotsford-for-highway-1-widening-project

Livingstone Avenue closed through the weekend in Abbotsford for Highway 1 widening project

Abbotsford Police have issued a traffic advisory as construction continues on the Highway 1 widening project through the Fraser Valley. According to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation, Livingstone Avenue in Abbotsford will be fully closed through the weekend. The closure begins Friday and is expected to remain in effect until Monday morning. The affected section extends from east of Mall Access Road to west of Gardner Park. According to Abbotsford Police, access to local businesses and residential properties will be maintained throughout the closure. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate

wildfire-smoke-degrades-air-quality-across-parts-of-b-c-warnings-remain-in-effect

Wildfire smoke degrades air quality across parts of B.C.; warnings remain in effect

Smoke from ongoing wildfires in British Columbia continues to reduce air quality across several parts of the province, with Kelowna experiencing hazardous conditions on Thursday. According to IQAir, Kelowna's Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded 300 at one point Thursday afternoon, making it the city with the poorest air quality in the world during that period. Earlier in the week, Ashcroft recorded Canada's worst air quality on Monday morning. Environment Canada has maintained high-impact air quality warnings for several regions, including the Fraser Canyon, Merritt and Kelowna. The agency says w

Related News

post card alt

New Gordie Howe International Bridge to open to public traffic Monday

The Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, will open to public traffic on Monday, marking a major milestone for cross-border transportation between Canada and the United States. Federal Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson made the announcement during the bridge's official opening ceremony on the Canadian side in Windsor. According to the federal government, the new cable-stayed bridge spans the Detroit River and provides a direct highway-to-highway connection between Ontario Highway 401 and Michigan Interstate 75. The six-lane bridge is expect

post card alt

Canada, Ecuador sign free trade agreement, Ottawa says deal will expand opportunities for exporters

The Government of Canada has officially signed a free trade agreement with Ecuador, marking a new step in expanding Canada's trade relationships in Latin America. According to the Government of Canada, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and Ecuador's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility, Luis Alberto Jaramillo, signed the agreement during a ceremony in Ottawa on Friday. The federal government said the agreement is expected to create new opportunities for Canadian businesses, workers and exporters. Federal officials said the agreement will improve market access across several

post card alt

Carney says Canada prepared to respond if U.S. tariffs take effect

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is prepared to impose retaliatory tariffs if negotiations with the United States fail and new U.S. trade measures are implemented. Speaking to reporters Thursday following the conclusion of a three-day meeting of Canada's premiers in Charlottetown, Carney said the federal government's priority remains reaching a trade agreement with the United States. However, he said Canada is prepared to take all necessary steps to protect its economic interests if a negotiated solution cannot be reached. Carney also described the tariff threat as a familiar pressure ta

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2024 AKASH BROADCASTING INC.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

BC Children's Hospital