After just finishing a final exam, students at Marymount High School in NDG gathered outside on the front steps to debrief — and check social media. It’s a ritual that’s already not allowed inside the building, but for students under 16 it could soon be banned altogether. “I think, like, not going on social media would be a positive thing for me, and I wouldn’t really be offended by it, but I would definitely miss going on social media,” said Grade 9 student Arisa Sarbazpour. On Wednesday, the federal Liberals tabled Bill C-34, which would force social media platforms to block access for kids under 16. Platforms would be able to get an exemption if they put in place sufficient safeguards to protect children. At Marymount High School, addiction comes up a lot when talking to high students about their phone use. “It is very addictive. I find myself using it way too much,” said Elseme Doucet, a Grade 11 student. Her peer, Niharika Neelaiahgara, said, “I feel like it is a problem,” but added she is doubtful a ban would accomplish anything. “If people really want to be on social media, they’ll just fake their age,” Neelaiahgara said. The English Parents Committee Association of Quebec (EPCA) agrees. “Morally and ethically, it’s not something we’re against. However, practically we just don’t see how something like this can be enforced,” said the association’s president, Katherine Korakakis, adding that youth will likely find a way around a ban. “We believe the school needs to take a lead in teaching children about the ill effects of being online too much. Spotting fake news, being a good digital citizen, understanding that this is an addictive thing, understanding what this can do to your mental health,” Korakakis said. At the English Montreal School Board (EMSB), those types of classes do exist. CTV News sat in on one at East Hill Elementary in 2024. “The debate shouldn’t be around the total ban or, you know, a free-for-all. As I said, we should be educating the children about the dangers of addiction. If they’re on social media platforms, you know, we should be educating the children and the parents, quite frankly,” said EMSB chair Joe Ortona. What’s clear is that the students CTV News spoke to understand the dangers and have experienced the harms firsthand. “Let’s say, anything that I’m insecure about makes me more insecure. So that really makes it hard for me to like, be happy with myself,” said Sarbazpour. They just can’t put the phone down. “It’s just hard because this is how I spend my free time,” the Grade 9 student said. With files from The Canadian Press
