Yesterday’s feature story highlighted the case accusing Live Nation and Ticketmaster of building an illegal monopoly. In case you missed it, here’s the link.

I briefly mentioned Live Nation reached a settlement. At the time, I didn’t have details on what the parties had agreed to, but now I do.

I’ll start with what it doesn’t include. Live Nation won’t be forced to sell off Ticketmaster. I think that’s what prosecutors were ultimately hoping for.

Instead, here’s what the lawyers hammered out:

First, Ticketmaster has agreed to cap service fees at 15 per cent — but only at amphitheatres that Live Nation owns, operates, or controls.

Second, Ticketmaster will limit its contracts with venues to four years and allow venues to use other ticketing platforms if they want.

And third, artists will now be allowed to play a Live Nation amphitheatre and choose their own promoter.

This may not yet be over. 40 states were also named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, and many are unhappy with the settlement terms. Several states plan to continue suing Live Nation regardless.

As for Canadians, there’s a good chance whatever happens in the U.S. eventually happens here since artists expect the same logistics when planning a North American tour.

TLDR: Don’t expect ticket prices to come down anytime soon :(

Anyways, let’s move on to today’s feature story. The debate around banning Canadian youth from accessing social media and AI platforms has resurfaced following the Tumbler Ridge shooting.

Our breakdown is below. Take a read, then vote in our poll.

-Neil Malik

Australia already pulled the plug. As of December 2025, anyone under 16 is locked out of social media after years of evidence linking these platforms to anxiety, bullying, addiction, and online predators.

Critics say Big Tech built these apps to hook young brains, and can’t be trusted to protect them. If the platforms won’t act, should governments step in?

Banning social media might make kids less safe, not more. Age gates are easy to bypass, while stricter verification raises major privacy concerns. Once teens find workarounds, their activity moves underground, where parents and teachers can’t see it.

Does banning social media protect kids, or does it remove the chance to teach them how to use it safely?