Your social media ban is a hard road to walk
Morning from the Gateway — here's what's moving in The Pas.
Premier Kinew’s plan to ban social media for youth across Manitoba, and AI chatbots too, is certainly getting folks talking down south. But up here, where we're used to navigating tough terrain, it makes you wonder about the practicalities. The idea of protecting our young ones, especially those on Opaskwayak Cree Nation or in the town of The Pas itself, from the rougher edges of the internet is a good one. Who doesn't want that for their kids? But a full ban... that's a whole different kettle of fish.
### Why This Matters for Us
Think about it:
* **Connectivity:** For many youth on reserves or in remote communities, social media isn't just about trends; it's a lifeline. It connects them to family spread across the north, from Flin Flon down the Kelsey Trail, or even to relatives in Winnipeg or further south. It’s how many stay in touch with their culture and language initiatives.
* **Information Access:** For students at University College of the North, or those finishing up at Margaret Barbour Collegiate, these platforms can be a source of information, a way to organize, or even to find community support when physical distances are so vast.
* **Practicality:** We know what it's like to have the government try to tell us how to live our lives up here. Trying to enforce a social media ban in a place where people are used to finding their own way, especially with the internet being as widespread as the Saskatchewan River system, feels like it’s going to be a tough sell and even tougher to implement.
A move like this feels like it's coming from a place that doesn't fully understand the unique challenges and realities of life above the 53rd parallel. Our young people are resilient, they learn to adapt quickly, much like how we adapt to the changing seasons from freeze-up to breakup. They're already navigating the world, and sometimes, these platforms are part of how they do it. It’s not just about what they *shouldn't* see, but about what they *need* to access.
This is a conversation that needs a lot more listening, especially to the young voices right here in our community.
Phil Flett, MiTL Sports Desk, The Pas.
The early birds on the morning show dive into this daily – check them out at mornings.live.