The province’s Opposition leader is applauding action taken by the federal government to ban the use of social media by those under 16.
Federal Minister Marc Miller says government is introducing Bill C-34, or the Safe Social Media Act.
Federal Culture Minister Marc Miller (CPAC)
He cited a recent incident at Sick Kids in Toronto where a teenage girl was admitted to hospital in a catatonic state caused by online bullying in which school mates had created a social media site just to mock her.
He says the harm caused by social media use among young people is undeniable.
He says there have been 19,000 incidents of online child exploitation in Canada, a 500 per cent increase “in a few short years.”
“Reports also show that online luring of children is on the rise….kids exposed to this have a four times higher incidence of ideation and suicidal thoughts. And we’ve seen the tragic consequences of online harm both around the world and here in Canada, notably at Tumbler Ridge…are bone chilling. Behind every one of these stats are a child, a family and a life.”
Provincial Liberal Leader John Hogan, who introduced a Private Members Motion in the House of Assembly seeking a similar ban on a provincial level, says he’s pleased to see Ottawa take action.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s the healthy thing and the right thing to do for kids” Hogan told VOCM Open Line with Brian Callahan. “I think governments have a duty to try to do what they can to protect children.”
