Ottawa: A Canadian parent advocacy group, Unplugged Canada, is calling for a ban on social media for children under the age of 16. Citing concerns about the mental health and online safety of children, the group is seeking new regulations. Unplugged Canada plans to submit a petition to the Canadian Parliament through West Vancouver MP Patrick Weiler.
“In the real world, children can’t watch R-rated movies or buy cigarettes. But in the online world, no such restrictions exist,” said Unplugged Canada spokesperson Robin Sherk. Sherk pointed out that an average teenager spends three hours on social media daily, and this excessive use can lead to anxiety, depression, loneliness, and self-harm.
Meanwhile, a study by Western University found that children between the ages of six and twelve spend an average of four hours on TV, tablets, or smartphones, which is more than pre-COVID-19 levels.
