If you are a long-time resident of the internet, you can likely recall at least one negative online experience. From fake Nigerian princes to cyberbullying, the online world can be a dangerous place, especially for our youths.
Regarding cyberbullying in particular, a Statistics Canada report found that one in four adolescents in Canada has been bullied online. Similarly, one study found that one in four Grade 7 students are the victims of cyberbullying in Alberta.
It is easy for cyberbullying to be overlooked because bullies can harass their targets outside the view of parents with the option of hiding behind fake profiles or anonymous accounts.
While bullies can easily avoid punishment, their actions have very real consequences.
Statistics Canada’s report claims that adolescents who experienced cyberbullying are at a greater risk of depression, eating disorder symptoms, anxiety, thoughts of suicide, and suicide attempts.
Cyberbullying happens around the world, including in places like Australia. The country recently passed legislation that bans social media for anyone under age 16, to protect youth from online harms.
Australia’s bold decision has sparked conversations here in Canada, where similar measures are being enacted or considered.
In 2024, the federal government tabled Bill C-63, which focuses on child protection by addressing online sexual violence like sextortion, revenge porn, image-based sexual abuse, and more.
Bill C-63 is still up in the air, but some provinces have taken matters into their own hands, including Ontario.
Starting in September last year, Ontario banned cell phones in schools. The ban prevents students in kindergarten to Grade 6 from using their phones in the classroom.
Students in grades 7 to 12 can have their phones on them, but they must be turned off or on silent mode and kept out of view during class time. They are only allowed to use their phones on break.
Are Bans a Band Aid Fix?
Banning social media and phones is like ketchup with mac and cheese. It sounds great in theory but sucks in practice (please don’t come at us with pitchforks).
Placing bans on youth access to the internet can cause more harm than good in some cases, according to a study done by Digitally Informed Youth, a team of researchers who study technology-facilitated sexual violence among youth aged 13-18 in Canada.
The study suggests that bans put youth data privacy and security at risk because social media companies will need to collect more user data to enforce these bans.
Current ideas for enforcement include facial recognition technology and uploading government IDs or credit cards to third-party platforms for age verification.
This data is incredibly sensitive, making it an unrealistic option. Social media and cellphone bans also put youths in a box, which doesn’t end well. Speaking from experience.
No child wants to feel like they are a prisoner in Alcatraz. Limiting their access to the internet might push them toward less regulated and more dangerous alternatives like the dark web.
The problem is the harmful content that exists online, not social media platforms themselves. Banning youths from social media might prevent them from seeing this content temporarily, but it will still be there when they turn 16 or turn on their phones.
Instead of banning or restricting youth online access, Digitally Informed Youth suggests that we equip young people with the tools to navigate the big wide ocean that is the internet.
The biggest tool in their arsenal should be the knowledge to have safe and healthy online interactions, which starts with education guided by schools, parents, governments, and communities.
Parents have a big part to play. A 2022 McAfee global study found that Canadian parents are among the least likely to actively protect their children from cyberbullying. Let’s change that.
Technology and social media companies also need to be held accountable. Instead of putting their products first, these companies need to start viewing youths as people, not numbers on a spreadsheet.
There is no single solution to protecting youths online. If Australia’s ban proves successful, Canada should take notes. If not, then it’s back to the drawing board.
