Image credit: The Canadian Press

By Keli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent

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SOUND OFF: Keeping kids safe, online and in school

Feb 7, 2024 | 10:30 AM

SMARTPHONES AND SOCIAL MEDIA help students keep in touch with friends and family, and access virtual learning opportunities. But there are also risks associated with kids being online.

Ensuring the safety of children in British Columbia is always a top priority for our government, and that extends to online spaces. That’s why at the end of January our government introduced a variety of measures to help keep kids safe online.

We live in a world where kids have access to so much information and influence from things like advertising right in the palm of their hands that can be potentially harmful, and difficult to protect them from in a world that relies so heavily on devices. Children can experience issues related to bullying, body image, misinformation, and more, and the internet also gives greater access for predators to reach out.

In a classroom setting, we know that cellphones can cause distractions, so we’re collaborating with school districts and teachers to establish policies restricting cell phone use during instructional hours. The goal is to create an environment conducive to deep and focused learning. We understand the importance of cell phones for accessibility purposes, and that’s why we’re working with districts rather than having blanket rules for all schools so that we can accommodate those who may need their cellphone in class. We know that smartphones are a part of life, but we want to help instill healthy technology habits, so that students and teachers can focus on learning in the classroom.

Our government has also been focused on protecting people from the devastating consequences of non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and that includes young people. This doesn’t only include personal photos and videos that have been shared with or accessed by others privately, but we’re also seeing a bigger problem with deepfake images with more advanced technology and AI available for people, including youth.

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That’s why Attorney General Niki Sharma introduced the Intimate Images Protection Act which helps empower victims to take down such images from websites and pursue damages against perpetrators. This move aims to combat the alarming rise of image-based abuse, which has become increasingly common, recognizing the potential criminality involved and working towards a safer online space for young people.

Lastly, the government is planning to address the long-term detrimental impacts of social media on children’s well-being. Acknowledging the link between social media and issues like body image concerns, eating disorders, anxiety and bullying, we’re taking a bold step by introducing legislation to hold social media companies accountable for the harm they cause. With this legislation, British Columbia will be leading the way across Canada in holding social media companies accountable.

We are committed to prioritizing the safety and well-being of children in the digital age here in British Columbia. Addressing distractions in classrooms, combating image-based abuse, and holding social media companies accountable reflect our government’s determined effort to create a safer online environment for all generations in British Columbia.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.