Photo: Getty Images “Since the advent of the Internet, the preferred approach has been that of laissez-faire. However, we are now aware of the risks,” argue the young CAQ members.
Caroline Plante – The Canadian Press in Quebec
Published at 12:21 p.m.
- Quebec
The young Caquists propose setting the minimum age for access to social networks at 16 and limiting screen time at school.
The Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) will hold a general council with the theme “Quebec in Change” on May 25 in Saint-Hyacinthe.
Its youth commission will propose impose a numerical majority. The idea, suggested by the Parti Québécois on May 2, was dismissed by Prime Minister François Legault.
“Since the advent of the Internet, the The preferred approach was that of laissez-faire. However, we are now aware of the risks”, we can read in the proposal booklet of the young CAQ players.
“It is increasingly demonstrated that social networks carry many risks for the mental health of young people, particularly pre-adolescents between 11 and 15 years old and young girls. »
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“They also present security risks, with cases of luring, extortion and dangerous influence online, such as incitement to suicide, regularly making headlines,” adds -t-on.
In these circumstances, the young CAQ members propose “the establishment of a numerical majority at 16 years of age for the opening of an account on social networks”.
They also want “rigorous checks” to be carried out on the age required to access sites reserved for adults (pornographic sites, games chance).
“Several countries […] have already followed suit and a bill is currently under study in the Canadian Parliament aimed at making formal age verification mandatory on pornography sites,” it is emphasized.
Cell at school
In addition, the youth commission wishes to provide better supervision the use of screens at school “so that it is strictly educational in nature”.
“Screens are increasingly omnipresent in schools across the Quebec”, they note.
“Despite the recent ban on cell phones in class, we see that students still use them in common areas, as well as than their tablets and computers in class. »
« This time spent on screens constitutes an obstacle to the socialization of young people, essential to their good development, particularly during adolescence. »
The next generation of the CAQ claims to be witnessing a “questioning of the beneficial role of screens in class, which often constitute a source of distraction and harm concentration”.
She also emphasizes that overexposure to screens at a young age “harms children’s development.”
“Limiting screen time at school […] represents a first step to reduce this growing exposure and promote the educational success of all young people”, we plead.