Youth advocates are urging the federal government to view online safety through the lens of human rights, expressing dissatisfaction with the current systems in place. During a press conference held on Parliament Hill, representatives from the John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights shared their aspirations and demands for forthcoming legislative measures and actions from Ottawa. The recent government effort to address harmful online conduct, Bill C-63, stalled in Parliament due to prorogation last year. Advocates stress the importance of engaging youth in substantive consultations before reintroducing any online harms legislation.
Advocate Kamalavasani Karunakaran highlighted the inadequacy of existing policies in addressing the concerns and necessities of young individuals. The impact of online harm extends beyond the digital realm, affecting various aspects of young people’s lives, including education, employment, relationships, and mental well-being. The Youth Digital Rights Blueprint by the center emphasizes the exclusion of young Canadians from the Bill C-63 drafting process, citing post-decision consultations, complex language barriers, and tokenistic engagement.
The blueprint identifies online risks facing youth and advocates for a digital safety framework aligned with global standards and Canada’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The report underlines challenges such as gender- and identity-based violence, discrimination on gaming platforms, sexual exploitation, data privacy risks, and mental health vulnerabilities in inadequately regulated online environments. The absence of a national digital safety law exacerbates these threats, according to the report.
Youth advocate Blue Vetsch stressed the necessity for decisive federal action, presenting a series of actionable pillars: participation, protection, remedy, and support. Justice Minister Sean Fraser previously announced a reconsideration of the government’s online harms legislation. The report’s recommendations include establishing a national youth digital safety advisory council and integrating permanent youth liaison roles within federal departments to represent diverse youth experiences comprehensively.
Moreover, the report calls for increased investment in youth-led research initiatives and labs focusing on digital rights, AI ethics, platform accountability, and online harm prevention. Collaborative engagement between youth stakeholders, policymakers, and experts is deemed critical for formulating sustainable policies. Recent legislative initiatives in Australia and France, prohibiting social media access for certain age groups, underscore the global momentum toward safeguarding young individuals from online risks. Advocate Fea Jerulen Gelvezon emphasized the urgency of genuine youth partnership in the legislative process from inception to implementation.