nova scotia liberals to table bill banning social media for kids under 16
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liberal mla iain rankin answers questions from reporters following a news conference at the downtown halifax office of auditor general kim adair in february.
ryan taplin
/
the chronicle herald
nova scotia liberals will introduce a bill in the fall legislature session to set a minimum age of 16 for social media use, following the lead of countries like australia and norway.
if passed, the bill would be the first of its kind in canada.
“protecting our kids from the harms of social media is a responsibility we all share,” said former premier iain rankin, the liberal house leader.
“this bill will ensure that children under 16 are not exposed to harmful content or interactions that can have life-long impacts on their mental health,” said rankin, representing timberlea-prospect as one of two elected liberal mlas.
“as a father myself, i know how critical it is that we put our children’s well-being first. if we want nova scotia to be the best place in canada to raise a family, this is a positive step in making that happen.”
the bill, labelled the social media responsibility act, will be tabled in the house session that will begin sept. 23, shortly after the new school year begins.
the liberal bill would require support from the government progressive conservatives, who hold 43 of the 55 legislative seats.
mental health
experts and parents alike are sounding the alarm on the mental health crisis facing young people, with mounting evidence showing that social media contributes to anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
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a 2023 study from the u.s. surgeon general warned that youth who use social media for more than three hours per day have double the risk of poor mental health outcomes like depression and anxiety.
jenna poste, a tech executive, mom of two and co-founder of the nova scotia chapter of unplugged canada, works with parents and industry experts to urge governments nationwide to take action to protect children from the harmful effects of early smartphone use and social media exposure.
“this is a crucial step forward in protecting children online,” said poste, who advocates for policy changes that prioritize children’s mental health and well-being.
“parents across the country are calling for action, and this is exactly the kind of leadership we need,” poste said. “nova scotia is recognizing the real and urgent harms social media is having on youth mental health and creating a model for others to follow.”
last year, the pc government implemented a cellphone ban in schools to help reduce distractions and support students’ well-being. the liberals say the next step is to take the same principle outside the classroom by restricting social media access for children under 16, ensuring consistent protection for youth both in school and at home.
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“we know that social media can have real consequences on children’s mental health and their success at school,” said interim liberal leader derek mombourquette.
“this legislation would create clear protections for families and make nova scotia a national leader in putting children’s safety first.”
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