WINNIPEG — Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says tech companies that don’t comply with the province’s plan to ban children from using social media and artificial intelligence chatbots may face billion-dollar fines.

Kinew says his government’s move to restrict social media for those 16 and under would set hefty penalties never before seen in the province.

He says fines would be directed at big tech platforms, not children or their parents.

Details of the plan, including how a province might have jurisdiction over international platforms and when the ban would come into place, remain unclear.

The government has said it may roll out the ban’s first phase in schools while legislative changes are made.

Kinew says schools and teachers may be prohibited from using some artificial chatbots and sites like YouTube.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2026.

Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press