Australia has enacted a ban on social media for children under 16, while other countries are working on similar restrictions.Hollie Adams/Reuters
The federal government is planning to propose a ban on social media for children under 16 in Canada as part of its long-awaited online harms bill that will be introduced Wednesday.
The new online harms bill – to be shepherded through the Commons by Canadian Identity Minister Marc Miller – would also establish a new Canadian digital regulator that would set standards for social media platforms in order to mitigate harms to children, and actions for AI companies, according to a source who spoke with The Globe.
The social media ban is expected to be welcomed by advocates for families concerned about the potential negative impact of social media on young people, and mirrors action in Australia that was introduced last year. But research shows that many children have evaded the restrictions and are still accessing social media there. There are also concerns about privacy and regulation.
Do you have any questions about what a social media ban for children would look like in Canada? We would love to hear from you. Tell us what you want to know about the online harms bill and its proposals.
If a ban were to be introduced, what would you like to know about implementation and regulation? Would you want to see any other actions or solutions from Ottawa? Are you worried about your child’s social media use and the impacts on their overall health?
Share your questions, comments and stories in the form below or by sending us an e-mail at audience@.com with “Ottawa’s social media ban” in the subject line.
What are your questions about Ottawa’s social media ban for children under 16? We want to hear from you
Tell us what you want to know about the online harms bill and its proposals. Share your questions in the form below, or send an e-mail to audience@globeandmail.com.
