Parliament is back, and one of the biggest tech bills on the table is Bill C-34, which would keep kids under 16 off social media in Canada. The federal government introduced it on June 10, 2026, and it’s one of several digital bills MPs are dealing with this fall. Here’s what it would do, in plain English.
Key takeaways
- Platforms would have to restrict access for users under 16, with possible exemptions for platforms that meet safety standards.
- A new regulator, the Digital Safety Commission of Canada, would set the rules.
- Public AI chatbots would be covered too.
- Fines could reach 3% of global revenue or C$10 million, whichever is higher.
- It’s not law yet. Even after it passes, setup is expected to take many months.
What the bill would do
- Age limit: social media platforms would have to block users under 16, unless a platform has enough safeguards to qualify for an exemption.
- AI chatbots: public chatbots would have a duty to act responsibly, reduce harmful content and have crisis-response steps in place.
- Fast takedowns: child sexual exploitation material and non-consensual intimate images would have to be removed within 24 hours of being flagged.
- AI labels: synthetic (AI-generated) content would need labels.
- Safety tools: platforms would need features like blocking and flagging.
How would age be checked?
That’s still open. The bill doesn’t set one method. The government has said there will be a “back and forth with platforms” to find a way that protects privacy. Which platforms are covered would also be decided by cabinet after the bill passes.
When would it start?
Not soon. According to CP24, platforms would be designated roughly six to eight months after the bill passes, and setting up the new regulator is expected to take about 18 months.
What it means for GTA businesses
If your customers include teens, think ahead. A local café, gym or retailer that relies on Instagram or TikTok to reach young customers may need other channels: your own website, email, events and in-store promotions. And if you use AI-generated images in ads, get used to labelling them now. Labels are already a rule on several platforms.
Station take
Australia already passed a similar law, and Canada is following. The big unknown is age verification: do it badly and everyone ends up uploading ID to apps. Watch that part closely as the bill moves through Parliament.
Sources: Al Jazeera · CP24 · BetaKit. This article was prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by Media Station. Not legal advice. Disclosure.