Australia is banning social media for teens. Should Canada do the same?

Australia is the first country to implement a nationwide ban of social media for teens, but other measures have been enacted or are being considered here in Canada. (Shutterstock)

The Australian government recently passed legislation that bans social media for anyone under 16. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hailed the legislation for putting “the onus on social media platforms — not young people or their parents” — for protecting youth from online harms.

Australia is the first country in the world to pass a nationwide ban of social media for teens, set to take effect in a year. But other measures have been enacted or considered here in Canada and elsewhere.