Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy Comments on Heritage Online Harms Report
Says findings indicate broad public support for online safety regulator
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2023
CONTACT: Phaedra de Saint-Rome, phaedra.desaint-rome@mcgill.ca
MONTREAL – Earlier this week, the Department of Canadian Heritage released its findings on online safety following regional and thematic roundtables held last year. The findings are set to shape the government’s forthcoming online harms legislation, and illustrated Canadians’ support for an online safety regulator, new frameworks for supporting victims of online harms without expanding purview of law enforcement, and a need to address the unique safety challenges faced by children and youth online.
The following can be attributed to Taylor Owen, Founding Director at the Centre for Media Technology and Democracy at McGill University:
“This report represents an important step in the development of a comprehensive governance model for online safety in Canada. Digital platforms touch so many aspects of our lives and our democratic societies that it is absolutely critical that citizens be brought meaningfully into the policy development process. Over the past two years I have been involved in two national commissions, three citizens assemblies and the government’s expert panel on online safety. Through each of these processes, I have become convinced that Canada has the opportunity to learn from and build on legislation in the EU, UK and Australia and develop a best-in-class online safety regulator. This legislation must avoid calls to regulate content, and instead focus on bringing accountability and radical transparency to the design of our digital platforms and to empower users to better protect themselves. Doing so will become a model for the world at a time when governments are finally getting serious about regulating platforms.”
The following can be attributed to Sonja Solomun, Deputy Director at the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy at McGill University:
“Platforms have a responsibility to protect the safety of their users -- especially children and youth. Yet most platforms are designed without kids in mind, despite international recognition that young people are a distinct category of users with specific regulatory needs. Canada has an opportunity to uphold a duty of care that gives children special considerations that protect their best interest over the commercial interests of Big Tech.”
About the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy at McGill University
The Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy produces critical research, policy advocacy, and inclusive events that inform public debates about the changing relationship between media and democracy, and that ground policy aimed at maximizing the benefits and minimizing the systemic harms embedded in the design and use of emerging technologies. www.mediatechdemocracy.com
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