New Brunswick Proposes Digital Consumer Law Protecting Youth Under 16

Sourced from 3 news outlets · most facts from Rob McKee · no points in dispute. How we sourced this

New Brunswick is moving to curb online business practices that can leave young people facing pressure to spend money or accept digital features they may not understand.

Key facts

• New Brunswick introduced the Young Consumers in Digital Markets Act to protect consumers under 16 from unfair online business practices.
• The act would prohibit companies from engaging in misleading, deceptive or other unfair practices targeting consumers under 16, including tactics that pressure kids to spend money or agree to features using language they do not understand.
• The proposed legislation would apply to companies selling digital goods and services and to digital platforms used by young people, including apps, games, social media and artificial intelligence-related products.
• Justice Minister and Attorney General Rob McKee announced the act on Tuesday.

Justice Minister and Attorney General Rob McKee announced the proposed Young Consumers in Digital Markets Act on Tuesday. The bill is aimed at protecting consumers under 16 from misleading, deceptive and other unfair practices in digital markets.

Rules for digital platforms

The proposed law would apply to companies selling digital goods and services, as well as platforms used by young people, including apps, games, social media and artificial intelligence-related products.

It would prohibit tactics that pressure children to make purchases or agree to features through language they do not understand. McKee said such practices can arise when platforms push young users toward spending decisions.

The legislation’s focus is consumer protection rather than online content. The proposed act would not give the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick the power to moderate or ban online content.

Commission would handle complaints

The Financial and Consumer Services Commission would enforce the proposed law, investigating complaints and offering remedies to consumers affected by unfair practices.

Those remedies could include refunds and the cancellation of unfair charges or agreements. Companies that violate the act could face penalties including fines of up to $5 million and jail time.

“Young consumers deserve fair treatment in digital marketplaces,” Kevin Hoyt, the commission’s chief executive officer, said in a government release. “The legislation will set clear expectations for how businesses design, market and deliver digital products and services to young consumers.”

McKee said he believes the commission can investigate and enforce the proposed rules. But the commission would not receive new funding for the added responsibilities. McKee said he was confident it could work within existing resources.

Device policies written into law

The bill would also incorporate the province’s existing school and child-care device and screen-time policies, known as Policies 311 and 902.

Rules affecting students in Grades 9 through 12 are scheduled to take effect at the beginning of the second semester in February 2027.

The province says the legislation complements the federal Safe Social Media Act, Bill C-34. New Brunswick’s proposal places its emphasis on the commercial practices and digital environments encountered by young consumers, with McKee framing the measure as part of the province’s responsibility to help keep children safer online.

What we don't know yet

• It has not yet been decided whether the Young Consumers in Digital Markets Act will be enacted into law.

How outlets covered it

• CBC News (CBC/Radio-Canada) — “N.B. proposes powers to protect youth against misleading online purchases”, Nov. 3, 2026. By Oliver Pearson. Quoted Justice Minister and Attorney General Rob McKee.
• Huddle Saint John — “N.B. proposes new protections for young people online”, Nov. 3, 2026. By Alex Allan. Led with the introduction of legislation aimed at protecting young people online. Quoted Robert McKee; Kevin Hoyt, chief executive officer of the commission. Not in the other reports here: the February 2027 start date for Grade 9 through 12 device-use restrictions.
• The Canadian Press (carried by Winnipeg Free Press) — “N.B. introduces law to protect youth from misleading online business practices”, Nov. 3, 2026. Led with legislation described as Canada’s first protection for young online consumers. Quoted Justice Minister Robert McKee.

How we sourced this story

How we put this together: we compare reporting from the outlets above, draft with the help of AI tools, and an editor checks every story before it's published. Our methodology.