Aurélie Diep, president of the Future Commission of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ), argues with conviction that the time has come to recognize the intrinsically addictive nature of social media, thus assimilating them to addictive substances and activities such as alcohol, cannabis and gambling. It therefore postulates that the establishment of a minimum age threshold, set at 16 years for the creation of accounts on these platforms, becomes imperative. She suggests that we ensure the application of this measure using technologies already implemented by the digital giants.
This initiative betrays a manifest incomprehension of the social and educational entanglements characteristic of our digital age. This paternalistic gesture, foreign to the daily realities of youth, seeks to provide a simplistic response to an issue of substantial complexity, ignoring individual freedom and the interconnection vital to contemporary socialization.
In the fabric of our society, the omnipresence of interconnection is now a reality. Imposing restrictions on access to social networks would amount to separating young people from a dynamic network where education, socialization and personal expression combine. Social media transcends mere distraction; they are essential spaces for the development of fundamental skills such as critical thinking and managing online interactions. Depriving young people of these platforms would handicap them in a world where these skills are crucial.
Before proposing restrictive laws, it would be wise for the government to assess the very feasibility of such measures. Mme Diep talks about “technologies already used by web giants” – but what exactly is she referring to? Is the user simply asked to enter their date of birth and take a CAPTCHA test or to confirm their age to access adult sites?
How does youth for the CAQ see such a thing possible? Implementing restriction of access to social networks for minors is a complex issue, marked by considerable ethical and technical dilemmas. The idea of using social security numbers or health insurance cards to authenticate the age of users on these platforms is simply unthinkable as it raises serious concerns regarding the confidentiality and security of personal data. This extremely critical information could, in the event of mismanagement or disclosure, create risks of identity theft and other violations.
It is surprising to say the least that this proposal comes from the youth wing of the CAQ. In another life, when I was still a fervent supporter of this party, a proposal of this nature would have promptly evoked in me the wry expression “OK boomer”. It clearly appears that the CAQ, plagued by a lack of vigor, seems engaged in an approach that could compromise its aspirations for re-election.
As for the assertion by Lionel Carmant, Minister responsible for Social Services, that “this is a proposal that we will study seriously”, it inevitably arouses a certain apprehension. Experience teaches us that the CAQ’s commitments to in-depth studies frequently tend to culminate in conclusions that leave citizens wanting more.
Faced with the declaration of Mme Diep who condemns the threat posed by platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and Google for the physical and mental health of young people, we can only smile. His speech is vaguely reminiscent of that of certain conservative Republican factions suggesting that universities are inciting young people towards communism, that elementary schools are hiding an LGBTQ+ curriculum and that Harry Potter is pushing young people into Satanism.
What’s more, it is frankly absurd, even laughable, to consider the policies adopted in Florida as examples to follow. How, in any reasonable universe, could Florida’s legislative practices serve as a model? We are talking about a state that, in 2022, enacted a law nicknamed “ Don’t say gay », banning discussions related to sexual orientations and gender identities in public school curricula. It is also this state which, with almost theatrical haste, recently came to restrict access to abortion from the first six weeks of pregnancy, and which had, in 2019, 341 people awaiting their execution.
Add to this the most fervent literary censorship, with a record number of books banned or blacklisted during the first half of the 2023-2024 school year. Since when should the doctrines of Florida inform the policies of Quebec, a province with clearly distinct and more nuanced cultural and social realities?
Having myself acted as a moderator for François Legault’s Facebook page during the COVID-19 pandemic, I can attest that the devastation caused by social networks — misinformation, intimidation, and simple human stupidity — is not limited to to young people under 16 years old. In reality, if we were to follow the logic of the CAQ to restrict access to social networks, based on these same criteria of vulnerability to harmful effects, there would remain very few people authorized to use them.
I sincerely believe that the effective protection of our youth lies in digital education rather than in radical and frankly grotesque solutions. By equipping young people, and even those not so young, with the necessary tools and knowledge, we prepare them to navigate the digital world in a secure and informed manner. This proactive and educational approach represents the only viable strategy for authentic and lasting protection.
The CAQ government must break away from this repressive trend and embrace a more informed policy that respects individual freedoms and the digital challenges of the 21st century.e century. By prioritizing education over prohibition, we are truly equipping our young people for the challenges of the digital world. Freedom and education must prevail in our response to technological challenges, as opposed to blind and simplistic prohibitions.