Protecting kids online is long overdue, and Canada's Safe Social Media Act is exactly the kind of bold action the moment demands. Over 80% of Canadians are concerned about social media's impact on youth, and 70% support banning access for those under 16 — that's not a fringe position, that's a national consensus. Leaving kids exposed to algorithmic manipulation and exploitation while waiting for perfect policy is not protection.
Banning kids from social media sounds protective but delivers almost nothing — Australia's own regulator found 70% of underage users kept access three months after the ban took effect. Worse, enforcing any age restriction means every Canadian must submit ID to foreign third-party services, creating massive privacy risks with no guaranteed payoff. Regulating how platforms operate, not who can log in, is the only approach that actually addresses the harm.
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