As the Canadian federal government takes its strongest step yet toward banning children from social media use, at least one Windsor-Essex parent is saying it’s about time.
“Childhood doesn’t look the same as it did years ago,” said Amanda Pettit, regional lead for the parent advocacy group Unplugged Canada.
“Granted, it’s an entire [online] ecosystem that has to change in order for children to reclaim their childhood. But this legislative piece is a very important one.”
Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, was introduced in Parliament on June 10.
The proposed legislation would require social media platforms to have age verification processes that prohibit users under 16 years old.
The bill would also increase the responsibility of platforms to remove harmful content, and require AI chatbots to counter harmful dialogue — such as talk of self-harm and suicide.
Other countries — such as Australia, the United Kingdom, France and Norway — are currently legislating or have already implemented age restrictions on social media use.
“[The legislation] is designed to hold the appropriate people accountable, which should be the social media companies themselves, the tech giants,” Pettit said.
Putting an age gate on social media use has been one of the aims of Unplugged Canada — a grassroots non-profit group that has grown to more than 9,000 member families across Canada in the past two years.
Social media impacts on children’s mental health
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health reports that more than 30 per cent of surveyed teen girls in Canada describe themselves as “compulsive users” of social media.
“The rates of depression and anxiety have all skyrocketed,” Pettit said.
Although social media has been prevalent for more than 20 years, Pettit believes many parents still aren’t fully aware of its dangers and how each platform carries its own risks to children.
TikTok, Facebook and X amplify inflammatory content and comments, YouTube hosts channels designed to monopolize children’s attention, and Snapchat’s temporary messaging makes it a tool to keep secrets from parents, according to Pettit.
“There’s just so much, and it’s always changing,” Pettit said. “And even when kids aren’t looking for it, it’s just served to them through the algorithm.”
Pettit also notes the popularity of child-oriented video games that have social media components: Roblox and Minecraft can connect players to massive online communities that include anonymous adults.
“What’s happening in those chats… is a lot of predatory behaviour,” Pettit said. “Some really scary things that you probably wouldn’t want your child exposed to when they’re supposed to be playing a game.”
Concerns raised over ‘blank check’ on regulatory power
But not everyone believes Bill C-34 is the answer.
Anais Bussieres McNicoll, a lawyer with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, has concerns that the legislation, as written, can threaten the public’s right to online privacy and freedom of expression.
“Whenever we’re talking about an age ban, it’s important to understand that would require every social media user to prove their age,” Bussieres said.
“Any age verification tool that currently exists is going to be intrusive, and is going to raise concerns when it comes to privacy rights.”
Bussieres said much of Bill C-34 as written is left undefined and open-ended, or refers to future regulations that have yet to be developed.
“What it really is, is a blank check for the government on regulatory power,” Bussieres argued. “From our perspective, this is the wrong solution to a real problem.”
‘It would stop kids from being able to message their friends’
Some teens in Windsor had mixed reactions to the proposed age restriction.
“I think it could be a good idea, but I think it would ruin some people’s social connections,” said 15-year-old Phoebe Black, an exchange student from Australia. “It would stop kids from being able to message their friends.”
Taym Taka, 17, who identifies himself as a TikToker, says his audience would be unfairly limited by the proposed legislation. “As a content creator, it’s pretty annoying,” he said.
“My viewership goes towards everybody. I cater my audience to anyone who wants to watch my videos. You’re more than welcome to, regardless of age. It’s family-friendly.”
Pettit says she hears all those arguments — but as the mother of a toddler, she believes there needs to be a societal shift in attitude when it comes to social media, and it needs to start now.
“Childhood has gone from in-person synchronized play, to an isolated experience on a screen,” she lamented. “We have to bring back those in-person communities.”
“This is just the start. It’s not a cure-all.”
Canadian legislation requires three readings, a committee discussion, and Senate review in order to become law. Bill C-34 has yet to be scheduled for its second reading.
