Lessons For Canada from Australia's Social Media Ban

Postponed: This event has been postponed and will no longer air live on Tuesday, July 7 from 7:30 PM - 8:15 PM ET. This event webpage will be updated as soon as the event is rescheduled.

Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, would prohibit children under 16 from holding social media accounts unless platforms meet safety standards established by a new regulator. The proposal has quickly become one of Canada's most debated technology policy issues, raising important questions about how governments can best protect young people online.

Australia offers a valuable case study. As policymakers there have pursued similar restrictions, the debate has exposed difficult questions about age verification, platform incentives, and whether limiting access is the most effective way to improve online safety.

Join the Centre for Canadian Innovation and Competitiveness for a fireside conversation with Lucy Thomas, co-founder and CEO of Project ROCKIT, Australia's youth-driven movement against bullying and online harm. Drawing on her work with young people, schools, and technology platforms, Thomas will share insights from Australia's experience and discuss what Canadian policymakers should consider as they evaluate Bill C-34.

Questions for the speakers? Ask on Slido.

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