Canada’s Safe Social Media Act is a promising start, but how will young people be consulted

This statement can be attributed to UNICEF Canada President and CEO Sevaun Palvetzian.

TORONTO, 10 June 2026 - Today's introduction of the Safe Social Media Act (Bill C-34) marks an important and long-overdue step to address the very real risks children face online-from harmful content and exploitation to unsafe AI interactions. It's also a positive signal for frustrated and anxious parents, many of whom have had to navigate the wild west of social media platforms alongside their kids.

It's also important to be realistic-digital life for children isn't going anywhere. Case in point: Countries with only a blanket age ban in place, like Australia, are finding them extremely difficult to enforce and unevenly applied.

That's why UNICEF Canada welcomes the introduction of Bill C-34. It couples protective restrictions with enforcement and flexibility, including:

• The creation of the Digital Safety Commission of Canada, an independent regulator that would hold platforms accountable to reduce harmful content and increase safety for young people;
• Clear requirements to immediately remove child sexual abuse material and limit exposure to harmful content; and
• The ability for platforms to welcome young people back once safety standards are met-increasing trust with parents and young users themselves.

But Bill C-34's duties to protect children, act responsibly, and make certain content inaccessible need an addition: a duty to consult young people. Aligned with Canada's commitments outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children and youth have the right to shape policies that in turn will fundamentally shape their lives and continue to be engaged in reviews when the bill becomes law.

As this bill moves through Parliament, we're asking the government for two additional pieces to accompany the bill: 1) to complete an in-depth child rights impact assessment and, 2) to ensure the bill has robust enforcement mechanisms and an appropriately funded regulator in order to hold platforms accountable to meet their obligations to children. More clarity is also required as to how safety will be enforced for AI chatbots.

The Government of Canada has taken a thoughtful first step. And it's an important one. Ultimately this isn't just about regulating platforms, it's about shaping the conditions in which childhood unfolds. Getting this legislation right means ensuring children are safer, feel heard, and able to grow up online with the same protections we expect in every other part of their lives.

UNICEF is the world's leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach spans more than 190 countries and territories, ensuring we are on the ground to help the most disadvantaged children. While part of the UN system, UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to finance our life-saving work. Please visit unicef.ca and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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