Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has indicated that the province's upcoming ban on social media and AI chatbots for children will likely prohibit teachers from using YouTube in classrooms due to features like autoplay and recommendation algorithms that can be addictive.

The ban, the first of its kind in Canada, is set to begin implementation in schools, building on previous restrictions like the cellphone ban in 2024.Kinew emphasized the need to protect children from online harms, stating that platforms are commodifying childhoods for profit.He expressed openness to supervised use of modified versions of YouTube without addictive elements.

At the federal level, the Canadian government is actively considering similar nationwide restrictions on social media and AI chatbots for users under 16, following non-binding Liberal Party resolutions.Culture Minister Marc Miller's office confirmed intentions to act swiftly to protect children, though no final decisions have been announced.

Students in Ontario expressed mixed views, with some supporting restrictions for more free time and others preferring education on healthy use over outright bans.

Meta Canada's head of public policy, Rachel Curran, argued against a full ban, citing challenges with age verification and suggesting tiered protections instead.

Manitoba plans to proceed independently while cooperating with Ottawa, ensuring the policy does not lead to excessive data collection by tech companies.

The discussions highlight a growing national and international focus on balancing child safety with educational needs and personal freedoms in the digital age.