Minimum age for social media

AI summary

Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to set a national minimum age for social media and require robust age verification, restrict algorithmic targeting, support device‑free schools, protect minors’ images, and fund preventative youth mental health.

AI summaries describe petitioners’ requests and claims. Consult the official record for the full text.

Official petition

Petition to the Government of Canada We write as parents, educators, and concerned citizens urging you to make the mental health and well-being of our children a national priority. Our youth are the next generation of leaders and citizens, and their protection must be foundational; Canadian youth are experiencing rising levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation; Social media platforms expose children to algorithm-driven content designed to maximize, engagement, and unrestricted device use raises serious mental health concerns; Parents and educators are increasingly concerned that household safeguards are often bypassed, and online bullying and constant comparison can erode self-worth during critical developmental stages; and Society sets age limits for alcohol, driving, and other activities due to developmental readiness and safety risks; similar protections are needed for digital environments. We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to 1. Establish a national minimum age for social media use; 2. Implement strong age verification and protections for minors; 3. Restrict algorithmic targeting of children; 4. Support device-free school policies nationwide; 5. Strengthen protections against non-consensual recording and sharing of minors’ images; 6. Invest in preventative youth mental health strategies; Parents cannot carry this burden alone. Children deserve to grow, learn, and make mistakes without relentless digital pressure. 1. Establish a national minimum age for social media use; 2. Implement strong age verification and protections for minors; 3. Restrict algorithmic targeting of children; 4. Support device-free school policies nationwide; 5. Strengthen protections against non-consensual recording and sharing of minors’ images; 6. Invest in preventative youth mental health strategies; Parents cannot carry this burden alone. Children deserve to grow, learn, and make mistakes without relentless digital pressure.

Government response

No government response is available yet.