A CMAJ analysis backs Bill C-34, calling for an independent regulator and safety-by-design rules to protect children online without cutting them off from digital life.
Canada should pass its proposed Safe Social Media Act, according to a CMAJ analysis that says the legislation could give the country a stronger framework for protecting children from online harm while still preserving their ability to learn, communicate and take part in digital life.
The bill, known as C-34, was introduced by the federal government on 10 June 2026. It would require social media services and AI chatbots to identify and reduce risks, use age-appropriate design features and publish digital safety plans. It would also create a Digital Safety Commission of Canada with powers to investigate, enforce the rules and support people affected by online harms, including cyberbullying, sexual exploitation and harmful AI-generated material.
In the analysis, Charlotte Moore Hepburn, a paediatrician at The Hospital for Sick Children and an associate professor at the University of Toronto, and her co-authors argue that Canada has a chance to catch up with countries that have already moved to regulate online safety. They point to the United Kingdom, the European Union and Australia as examples of jurisdictions that have created more comprehensive oversight systems, including independent regulators and stronger obligations on platform design and accountability. Their view is that safety online cannot rely only on reacting to harmful posts after they appear; it also requires rules that shape how services are built and run.
The authors say Canada should give an independent regulator enough authority, specialist knowledge and resources to act decisively, and should ensure the body can respond to new threats as technology changes. They also urge policymakers to prioritise safety-by-design measures, including limits on harmful content, attention-grabbing features and tools that let strangers contact children. One Canadian innovation in the bill is a temporary restriction on accounts for users under 16 unless a platform can show that it meets all enforceable standards. The researchers also call for rigorous evaluation of the law to determine whether it protects children without unduly limiting their access to digital tools.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
