The federal government's proposed social media ban for young Canadians may backfire, pushing teens toward riskier online behaviour and secret account use, experts caution. On June 10, the government introduced Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, which would require tech companies like Meta and X to comply with new safety rules to protect children online. The bill also regulates AI chatbots to prevent harmful behaviours.
Bill C-34: A Ban with Exceptions
The legislation establishes a Digital Safety Commission tasked with issuing compliance orders, monitoring sites, and providing guidance on risk mitigation. It includes a ban on social media accounts for users under 16 unless the platform proves to have adequate safeguards in place. However, experts argue that the ban fails to address the root causes of online harm.
Joanna Conrad, executive director of Essex County Youth Diversion, supports the goal of online safety but believes the bill is incomplete. “My concern is that if we focus solely on restricting access without actually teaching kids digital literacy and critical thinking skills, then we risk raising a generation of youth that are less prepared to navigate the digital world,” she said.
False Sense of Security for Parents
Conrad frequently advises parents on setting healthy boundaries for their children on social media. She worries the ban will create a false sense of security for families who believe the legislation will keep online harms at bay. “I know that parents oftentimes hesitate to have certain conversations with their children early on because they are afraid of bursting that childhood bubble,” Conrad said. “Unfortunately, as soon as your child is exposed to the internet, their innocence is very quickly chipped away.”
University of Windsor associate professor Lindsey Jaber, a registered clinical counseling and school psychologist, agrees that a ban won't stop Canadian youth from finding creative ways to bypass age restrictions. “When you restrict and ban, particularly teens and young adults, from certain activities there tends to be a pushback,” she said. “We don’t want to create an environment where instead of teens being open with their family about their social media and chatbot use, they just hide it and then parents aren’t able to intervene.”
Risks of Secret Account Use
Jaber, who runs a private practice in Windsor, warns that teens who evade restrictions and create secret accounts may be less likely to seek help when faced with unsafe situations. “What if they have created these accounts and their parents don’t know, and something awful happens?” Jaber said. “How likely is that teen going to get the support and the help that they need?”
According to Jaber, common mental health issues among teens who use social media include cyberbullying, eating disorders, and increased rates of anxiety and depression. She emphasizes that tech companies must also be held responsible for ensuring safety on their platforms. “I do think it’s important that part of the solution is to have the tech companies responsible for ensuring the safety of young people when they are on their platforms,” she said.
Digital Literacy as an Alternative
Both Conrad and Jaber advocate for teaching digital literacy and critical thinking skills as a more effective approach than an outright ban. They argue that open conversations between parents and children about online risks are essential to building resilience. The bill, while well-intentioned, may inadvertently drive risky behaviour underground, making it harder for parents and authorities to protect youth.
