A new report released on April 30, 2026, by the youth-led organization 'Youth for Digital Rights' calls on the Canadian government to mandate that AI companies reduce addictive design elements in their chatbots. The report, titled 'Breaking the Loop: Youth Perspectives on Addictive AI,' surveyed 1,200 Canadians aged 17 to 25 between January and March 2026.
Key recommendations include requiring AI chatbots to display usage time limits, provide opt-out options for personalized algorithms, and ban 'streak' features that encourage prolonged engagement. The report also urges the government to fund independent research on the mental health impacts of AI chatbots on young users.
According to the report, 78% of respondents reported using AI chatbots daily, and 45% said they felt 'addicted' to these tools. The organization plans to present the findings to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry and Technology on May 15, 2026.
