Australia banned social media ban for users under 16 in December. Other countries are considering doing the same.Hollie Adams/Reuters
In December, Australia became the first country in the world to ban social media for children under 16, blocking access to TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, X, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and Twitch.
The Australian government first proposed the landmark law citing research that showed the connection between social media and online harms, such as bullying, misinformation and unhealthy depictions of body image.
Many other countries, such as Denmark, New Zealand and Malaysia, have signalled they’re interested in introducing similar legislation.
TikTok’s efforts to keep children off platform ‘inadequate,’ federal investigation finds
For a future story, The Globe and Mail’s online culture reporter Samantha Edwards is looking to speak with Canadian teens to hear their thoughts on the Australian law. What do they make of it? Would you want a similar ban in Canada? What is your relationship like with social media? How does social media affect your mental health?
If you’re a parent of a Canadian teenager, or know Canadian teens who may be interested in speaking with Samantha for this story, please fill out the form below or email her directly at [email protected].
Canadian teens: Would you want a social media ban here?
For a future story, online culture reporter Samantha Edwards is looking to speak with Canadian teenagers about their thoughts on a social media ban for children under 16. If this is you, or you know a Canadian teenager interested in sharing their thoughts, please let us know in the box below.