A sweeping federal plan to block children under 16 from social media is sparking a debate with residents in Waterloo Region. The Liberal government introduced Bill C-34 on Wednesday. The Safe Social Media Act would force platforms to block access for kids younger than 16 and put new controls on platforms with AI chatbots. Parents said the daily battle for control can be exhausting. “I won’t let her post anything, but even the watching, I’m right next to her so that I can have some control over it but I’d love it if it were restricted. It would be great,” said a mother from Kitchener. She worries about her daughter spending too much time on social media. “The more they’re online, the more they’re exposed to all kinds of different malicious things,” she said. One Kitchener teen sees the benefit of the ban. “I think the amount of time people spend on their phone now is ridiculous. And I think social media has a lot to do with that,” she said. A never-ending cycle of scrolling can be harmful according to some adults. “Doomscrolling. Wasting time. I don’t think they’re getting as much personal and social growth as a human should,” said one adult. But will a ban stop kids from still logging on a different way? “They’re going to find a way to get on,” said an older teen from Kitchener. “Because they’re going to see all their friends on Snapchat or Instagram - they’re going to feel left out.” A specific method to verify ages was not outlined in the government’s plan. Some local teens worried a ban would negatively impact their social life. “I don’t agree with it. I think it’s stupid,” a younger Kitchener teen said. While teenagers view social media apps as harmless social hubs, some adults think use should be monitored. Humaira Amir, a psychotherapist practicing in Kitchener, said she sees how attached some kids are to their phones. “What I’m seeing in my private practice, excessive use of social media is causing anxiety issues, depression, self-esteem and body image issues,” Amir revealed. The compulsion to stay connected has become so overwhelming that it even interrupts treatment. “Eighty percent ... I will say a lot of them have a social media dependency,” Amir said. “And even they have struggled to check in their messages during the sessions.” Bill C-34 goes beyond typical social media bans by regulating AI chatbot services including measures to lower the risk of chatbots discussing harmful content with young people. That specific guardrail hits close to home for local mental health advocates. Helen Fishburn, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Waterloo Wellington, revealed a harsh reality happening behind closed doors. “We certainly have had examples where a chatbot will assist someone in suicidal feelings or even putting a plan together,” Fishburn said. “That is really concerning and alarming. And without the proper guardrails in place and the proper monitoring, a youth can be left alone with those conversations.” The Waterloo Catholic District School Board said is too early to determine implications for the school community. “We will be responsive to any measures that prioritize the safety and well-being of young people online, and we are committed to aligning with all applicable requirements as they are confirmed,” said a spokesperson for the school board in a statement to CTV News. Currently the board said it has blocked social media access on all school networks and is committed to providing meaningful digital literacy education for students and parents.
