Canada Targets Under-16 Social Media Use, Introduces AI Regulations

The suggested approach might result in businesses being charged as much as 3 percent of their total worldwide income or $7.2 million if they fail to adhere.

The Canadian cultural minister announced on Wednesday new laws aimed at prohibiting individuals younger than 16 from accessing social media platforms and mandating artificial intelligence-based conversation systems to restrict creation of damaging material.

The newly introduced Digital Safety Act positions Canada as the most recent nation joining a global trend of implementing stricter regulations against social media companies due to worries about their impact on young people.

"we have witnessed the severe impacts that online dangers can cause... ensuring children's safety must not be overlooked," stated Culture Minister Marc Miller in a declaration introducing the plan.

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The law would prohibit social media accounts for individuals below the age of 16, according to the statement, which also mentioned that there could be an exception "route" for businesses if they prove "adequate protections" for young people.

Online social media platforms, such as those offering explicit material, would be required by the legislation to "reduce dangers linked to exposure" to different types of damaging information and implement tags for artificially created content.

The final rules will be implemented by a Digital Safety Commission, which could impose penalties on non-compliant businesses amounting to 3 percent of their worldwide income or C$10 million (US$7.2 million).

"This law aims to create a more secure setting for young Canadians, enabling them to meet face-to-face, form relationships, concentrate on their studies, and develop practical abilities needed to succeed," stated Health Minister Marjorie Michel in a press release.

Professor Sachin Maharaj from the University of Ottawa described the plan as "a move in the correct direction," highlighting "an acknowledgment that social media relates to behavioral and societal challenges."

Clearly, children will discover ways to bypass" limitations, he stated. "However, the true difficulty lies in altering how the applications function.

Besides the social media restriction, the new legislation would also oversee ever-present AI chatbots by mandating businesses to "reduce the likelihood of the chatbot sharing damaging information."

Firms would also be required to maintain openness regarding "reporting limits during emergencies," for instance, when a user plans to cause self-harm or endanger someone else.

The matter has been especially delicate in Canada after a tragic incident in April resulted in nine fatalities in the remote mining community of Tumbler Ridge, with the perpetrator among the victims.

OpenAI encountered significant backlash following its decision to block a shooter from its service in June of last year due to concerning discussions on ChatGPT. However, the company chose not to inform Canadian authorities as it found no indication of an immediate threat.

In December, Australia made history as the first nation globally to mandate that platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and others delete user accounts belonging to individuals under 16 years old, with significant penalties for non-compliance.

Indonesia started implementing its own restriction on social media usage for individuals below 16 years old in March, as some European countries have expressed interest in taking comparable actions.

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Diaspora Supports Executive Order, Praises Makinde's Response to Oyo School Abduction Crisis

An African professional organization known as the Omituntun Initiative in the Diaspora (OID) has praised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for his active measures taken to facilitate the liberation of kidnapped pupils and educators within the Oriire Local Government Area.

The team commended Governor Makinde for his quick response during increasing safety issues within the state.

It highlighted that, by placing public safety ahead of political considerations, the Governor showcased strong leadership with the issuance of Executive Order 001 from 2026, designed to improve the oversight and cooperation among local security agencies and boost the safeguarding of people and assets.

A declaration released to the media and authored by OID representative, Attorney Ayotomiwa Adebayo, stated that the organization is carefully observing the circumstances and evaluating changes as they occur.

Although recognizing the continuous relief actions taken by the Oyo State Government, police authorities, and various involved parties, OID referred to the kidnapping as an extremely alarming event that has caused significant worry across Nigeria, both within the country and overseas.

The team remarked: "In an era where the country faces intricate safety issues, Governor Makinde's prompt action demonstrates the strong and resolute guidance needed during such times."

The OID showed support for the Governor and offered condolences to the residents of Oyo State, the administrators of the impacted schools, and the relatives of the kidnapped pupils and educators.

The team also praised Governor Makinde for his earnest approach to dealing with the matter and the actions being implemented to ensure the safe return of the hostages, emphasizing that each person’s life holds significance. They referred to the event as a challenging time for the state and promised their backing for everyone impacted.

The OID commended the Nigerian Police Force and other security organizations participating in the rescue efforts, encouraging them to make sure that every offender, supporter, and collaborator faces legal consequences, irrespective of their ethnicity, faith, or geographical background.

Voicing worry about increasing instability throughout the nation, the group cautioned that ongoing incidents of kidnap, assaults on educational institutions, and other acts of violence keep endangering Nigeria's democratic system, hindering national progress, and diminishing citizen trust.

As a result, the group urged the federal government to focus on ensuring public safety by implementing actions like setting up local police forces, boosting information collection efforts, increasing cooperation between different agencies, providing sufficient funds for security activities, using advanced technology to fight criminal activity, and reinforcing control over national borders.

"The safeguarding of human life and assets should continue as the primary concern of the government to guarantee a secure environment for everyone in the nation. Citizens have the right to reside and carry out their everyday tasks free from the threat of terrorism, cattle rustling, and various types of crime. The frequent incidents of kidnappings and violent assaults throughout the country require immediate and firm measures from the federal authorities," the declaration stated.

The OID highlighted that tackling the country's security issues demands a collective effort encompassing every level of governance, law enforcement bodies, customary authorities, local leaders, faith-based figures, and the general public.

"It is clear that these acts of robbery are exerting significant strain on the country's cohesion, tranquility, and safety. We call upon all Nigerians to come together against this piracy, which has emerged as a shared adversary and a serious danger to national stability," the statement said.

The community abroad remains hopeful that current recovery operations in Oyo State will result in the secure return of kidnapped pupils and educators. Additionally, it reiterated its dedication to backing programs aimed at fostering harmony, solidarity, safety, and long-term growth within Oyo State and throughout Nigeria.

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Minister Steps In to Resolve Lower Niger River Industrial Crisis

Chibuzor Emejor

Professor Joseph Utsev, the Minister for Water Resources and Sanitation, has reiterated his dedication to bringing back peace, stability, and unity within the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority (LNRBDA) located in Ilorin, Kwara State, after recent labor disturbances occurred inside the organization.

During a stakeholder gathering held to discuss matters in Abuja, Utsev voiced worry about the interruption of activities at the Authority, calling the incident unfortunate considering the vital function of River Basin Development Authorities in promoting irrigation expansion, managing water resources, ensuring food security, and fostering rural economic progress under the framework of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He highlighted that although employees and trade unions possess valid rights to address their complaints, these rights should be pursued via legal and recognized official procedures.

He emphasized that actions involving violence, threats, and hindrance of official responsibilities contradict the principles and moral standards of the Nigerian Civil Service.

The official revealed that the ministry had previously established and sent an investigation group to the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority after signs of increasing unrest inside the organization were reported.

The group was tasked with consulting key stakeholders, conducting an impartial examination of the problems, and proposing actions to restore harmony and enhance institutional resilience.

As stated by the Minister, the findings from the investigation team included detailed suggestions intended to restore confidence, foster workplace unity, and strengthen organizational solidarity inside the Authority.

He mentioned that the suggestions were properly reviewed and endorsed by the ministry, and that execution had begun prior to later events complicating the settlement procedure.

He urged the management, leaders of the labor unions, and employees of the Authority to adopt discussion, shared comprehension, and positive interaction for the benefit of the organization and the country as a whole.

He emphasized once again that achieving food security and sustainable development is impossible in an environment marked by bitterness, confrontation, and unrest.

During her speech, Dr. Emanso Umobong, the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, called on government employees to follow the guidelines set for public service and stay dedicated to values such as orderliness, responsibility, and expertise in carrying out their roles.

The head of the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, Mr. Olumoroti Olushola, stated that claims regarding administrative misconduct, obstruction of accountability systems, and unauthorized use of large machinery—among other accusations directed at the leadership—are baseless.

He stated that every purchasing process was carried out following the guidelines set forth in the Public Procurement Act of 2007, involving representatives from the appropriate ministry.

He also updated investors that various inactive resources, such as large machinery, an animal feed mill, a gari production unit, and a D6 excavator, have undergone restoration and are now functioning properly.

A declaration made on Wednesday by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, stated this.

Members of the river basin team also provided valuable comments during the discussion.

In an effort to promote long-term peace and enhance institutional collaboration, a committee made up of delegates from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority, and union members was established to continue engaging with interested parties and support the execution of approved decisions.

The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation stated that it continues to be dedicated to promoting equity, proper procedures, and efficient service provision within all its departments and affiliated entities.

The government pledged to keep implementing essential actions to foster workplace cooperation and enhance monitoring systems to avoid such incidents from happening again.

End.

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