Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller insists the federal government will not capitulate to the U.S. administration and back down on the legislation he says is aimed at protecting children from the potential harms of the internet.
refusing to back down will hurt Canadians, not help them.
I don’t think that putting bans on under-16s being able to use social media is very good policy, but I also don’t see how it’s my job as an American to improve Canadian policy. If they’re gonna pass a law that isn’t a good idea, well, there are about 200 countries out there, and I’d say that every one of them have some collection of laws that I don’t think are a great idea.
If Canadians don’t like the law, then it’s up to Canadians to get it repealed. There is always gonna be some contingent out there that is going to be pushing for laws that I don’t think is a good idea.
Besides, several US states have tried (in some, being blocked as violating the state constitution). There are several conservative states where social media bans for minors or laws requiring parental sign-off on use are in force now.
That’s where we get stage two, identity verification. Everyone will have to provide ID or some other form to uniquely identify themselves on the internet so they can track everywhere you go and everything you do, all while claiming “think of the children”
contrary to what most would expect from the title, the bill is NOT good and refusing to back down will hurt Canadians, not help them.
I don’t think that putting bans on under-16s being able to use social media is very good policy, but I also don’t see how it’s my job as an American to improve Canadian policy. If they’re gonna pass a law that isn’t a good idea, well, there are about 200 countries out there, and I’d say that every one of them have some collection of laws that I don’t think are a great idea.
If Canadians don’t like the law, then it’s up to Canadians to get it repealed. There is always gonna be some contingent out there that is going to be pushing for laws that I don’t think is a good idea.
Besides, several US states have tried (in some, being blocked as violating the state constitution). There are several conservative states where social media bans for minors or laws requiring parental sign-off on use are in force now.
https://www.multistate.us/insider/2025/10/8/eight-states-enact-minor-social-media-bans-despite-court-fights
If I’m going to stick my fingers in someone else’s legislative agenda, they are gonna top the list, not Canada.
Bills don’t do anything but provide political talking points until they’re signed into law.
Children under 16 aren’t leaving social media, even if there’s a federal law against it. Even less so than smoking and drinking alcohol.
All this does is changes the age they say they are when signing up for sites that attempt to enforce the law.
I mean, a 13 year old can stand up their own Lemmy instance and join the Fediverse… how is this law going to stop that?
That’s where we get stage two, identity verification. Everyone will have to provide ID or some other form to uniquely identify themselves on the internet so they can track everywhere you go and everything you do, all while claiming “think of the children”