Survey says: Sask. parents to be polled about kids on social media

Premier Scott Moe and the Sask. Party government would like to know what parents in Saskatchewan think of a social media ban for children.

On Monday, Moe said his government would send out surveys in about a week, asking parents and families their thoughts on social media limits for children.

This follows Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew’s announcement at a party fundraiser on the weekend that his province would be the first to implement a ban on children using social media and AI chatbots. Kinew wasn’t made available to speak to media afterwards to give further details.

Read more:

• Drought fears linger as seeding begins on southwest Saskatchewan farms
• Artificial Intelligence Saskatchewan’s expo aims to grow community
• Saskatchewan flooding: Meadow Lake runoff slows, but snow raises new concern

Moe has spoken about such a ban previously, saying his government decided this shouldn’t be a purely provincial endeavour.

“We think it’d be much more effective for this to be a Canada-wide initiative. We see an openness with the Prime Minister and the federal government to have that discussion,” said Moe.

So, he said the government will send out a survey, asking parents and families their views on limits to social media – whether there should be a ban and at what age. He explained the province would then make that information available to the federal government.

“We really encourage families and parents to be very open with their thoughts and send them back in. We’ll compile that data and have it available,” said the premier.

Moe said everyone is aware of the challenges around the impact that access to social media is having on children.

“I think this is actually a broader conversation that extends into some of the social and health challenges that we’re having in society today, and what role social media may play in that – in particular when it comes to young adults and youth,” said Moe.

Members of the federal Liberal Party passed a non-binding resolution with a similar idea. The Prime Minister has said the idea merits consideration and the federal culture minister said the federal government is seriously considering a social media ban for kids. He said it would be left to an expert panel to say whether a bill should also cover AI chatbots.