More countries are taking action to protect youth from the addictive and risky aspects of social media, and Doctors Manitoba hopes to see Canada formalize its plan quickly. New Zealand is introducing a ban on social media for children under age 16. This follows a similar law in Australia, with several other countries considering restrictions too. 

In the U.S., nearly all states sued Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook. A multi-billion-dollar settlement was announced this week aimed at protecting children from the mental health harms associated with social media. Meta has agreed to restrict users under 18 from accessing the platforms more than two hours a day and to block all usage from midnight to 6 a.m. without parental consent. These limits could be tightened if other social media companies adopt similar terms, as CBC News reports.

The context: So far, the limits agreed to in the lawsuit only apply in the United States, not in Canada. 

• Canada’s Safe Social Media Act, which aims to prevent users under 16 from accessing social media platforms, is still making its way through the legislative process. 
• The large majority of Manitoba physicians support a social media ban for children and youth. Read our May report.