Nova Scotia Liberal Party plans to limit social media access for children.

The Liberal Party in Nova Scotia is sparking controversy with its proposed bill to restrict social media access to individuals under the age of 16. While the intention behind this legislation may be to protect young minds from the potential pitfalls of online platforms, concerns are being raised about the feasibility and implications of its implementation.

One of the primary concerns, as highlighted by Carmi Levy, is the need for the government to establish a robust process for collecting significant amounts of identification information from minors. This raises red flags regarding cybersecurity and privacy, as the government would be tasked with collecting and storing sensitive data on a large scale. The risks of data breaches, identity theft, and other related issues are significant, and it is unclear how the government plans to mitigate these risks.

The Australian government faced similar challenges when it became the first country to approve a social media ban for those under 16 last December. Despite the well-intentioned goal of shielding young people from online harms, the implementation of this policy has proven to be complex and contentious. The collection of identification information has become a major hurdle, with concerns about the security and privacy of this data looming large.

As Nova Scotia considers following in Australia's footsteps, it is essential for policymakers to carefully weigh the potential benefits of this legislation against the potential drawbacks. The government must develop a comprehensive strategy for collecting and protecting identification information, as well as address the broader implications of restricting social media access to minors. Only then can we ensure that this policy achieves its intended goals without compromising the privacy and security of young people in Nova Scotia.