Manitoba doctors support Kinew’s proposed social media ban

The group representing physicians in Manitoba is adding its voice in support of the province’s proposed plan to ban social media and artificial intelligence chatbots for children and youth.

More than 240 physicians participated in the survey, including family physicians, pediatricians, psychiatrists, and other specialties. The findings show over 90 per cent support restricting access to social media and AI chatbots for youth.

The survey found that social media and excessive screen time pose significant risks to the health of children and youth. In some cases, physicians say the effects of social media outweigh other health concerns, including substance use, poor nutrition, and injuries.

“They’re seeing big effect on mental health with depression and anxiety, they’re seeing changes in social interactions with children, and they’re seeing decrease in physical activities, so those are kind of the big effects of it,” said Dr. Alon Altman, the president of Doctors Manitoba.

Dr. William Li, a pediatrician and a Doctors Manitoba HSC representative, said, “It is associated with addictions, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, but even with the younger kiddos, it is associated with slower language development and learning difficulties in the future.”

Dr. Li says he fully supports the province and thinks parents need to get more involved as well.

“No screens for an hour before going to bed, avoiding screens during meal times or picking non digital means of entertainment like reading a book or going for a walk instead of using a screen.”

The organization is also calling for restrictions on advertising for minors, and an emphasis on digital literacy and online safety education for children and youth.

The provincial government announced last month that there would be a ban to prevent children from certain online platforms.

Meanwhile, the Manitoba Teachers’ Society isn’t as supportive of the proposed ban. President Lillian Klausen says while they agree with Doctors Manitoba about negative impacts, an all-out ban would hinder teachers’ ability to use YouTube to supplement curriculum. 

“We’re talking about two different things, we’re talking about the use of social media without parameters, and were talking about the use of tools to teach students in school,” said Klausen.

“They are using social media, YouTube, or other forms of information to be able to supplement their lessons. They are not giving devices to students and telling them at 9 o’clock in the morning, here’s your device, give it back to me at the end of the day.”

Klausen says teachers want to see more consultation from the province before plans are set in stone with an all-out ban. While specifics still need to be ironed out, she says teachers agree that social media affects kids.  

“We certainly do see some negative impacts of social media on kids, and so we do agree with the findings of Doctors Manitoba, we absolutely think that there should be some restrictions in place when it comes to social media and kids,” said Klausen.

Details on how the ban would be enforced have yet to be determined, but Premier Wab Kinew has hinted that the province may rely on a regulator to enforce it.

-With files from the Canadian Press