I’m not usually a soccer guy, but I’m comfortably seated on the World Cup bandwagon.

Seeing all the patriotism is my favourite part. It doesn’t matter what country you’re from. Everyone wears their team’s colours with pride.

Once a match starts, any political differences instantly disappear. We all just become fans for the next 90 minutes.

That said, I’m against taxpayers covering the gigantic costs and FIFA keeping all the revenue, while the average person can’t afford a ticket.

I also don’t buy the government’s argument it’ll pay off down the road through tourism and economic growth. It’s just a bad deal.

FIFA, 1. Taxpayers, nil.

Okay, on to today’s feature story. Last week, the federal government introduced a bill that would ban social media accounts for youth under 16.

Protecting kids from the harms linked to social media sounds good.

But would you be okay with uploading your ID just to look at your cousin’s vacation pics on Instagram?

Check it out below, along with our poll.

-Neil

Social media companies built platforms to keep kids hooked, not keep them safe.

If Ottawa forces an under-16 ban, the payoff could be fewer children exposed to sextortion, cyberbullying, and addictive algorithms.

Critics point out the risk of data collection by age verification tools. But when it comes to privacy, aren’t we already past the point of no return?

A social media ban may sound tough, but when has a law restricting teenagers from doing something ever worked?

Instead, Bill C-34 creates bigger privacy risks, weakens support networks for marginalized youth and risks a long Charter fight in court.

Why is Ottawa suggesting kids are the problem, while leaving the platforms that cause the harm mostly untouched?