The Digital Influence On Canadian Youth

by | Parent Resources, Technology

Technology is changing so quickly that as a parent, it’s sometimes challenging to keep up with the digital environment. With the evolution of the digital space, it’s more important than ever to keep up with your child’s digital literary skills, their usage of technology and the potential for cyber bullying. A new study released by MediaSmarts, a Canadian not-for-profit organization for digital and media literacy, on youth and media, contains statistics meant to provide a look inside the influence of media on Canadian youth. Not surprisingly, Canadian youth are more connected and mobile than ever. Ninety-nine percent of youth surveyed have access to the Internet, providing constant and often unsupervised time online. The increased availability of smartphones, iPads and other interactive devices is making it easier than ever to connect online.

Cyber Bullying

1 in 6 children have gone offline to avoid someone who is harassing them. It is empowering to know that there are children who aren’t feeling pressured to stay online. However, the majority of children affected by a cyber bully are choosing to stay online. Children need to understand that they can safeguard themselves against this type of bullying. Increased parental involvement coupled with digital literacy skills will provide children with the tools they need to understand how to protect themselves.

Parental Involvement

Household rules have a significant positive impact on what students do online. Household rules around Internet usage help to create boundaries and guidelines for your child. According to the survey, the number of household rules takes a sharp decline after grade 7. At this age, 9 out of 10 youth surveyed report that they know how to protect themselves online. Knowing what your child is doing online will help you to establish guidelines and codes of conduct for online behaviour.

Digital Literary Skills

Canadian youth, especially elementary aged children, need instruction in digital literacy skills. Understanding when to use passwords and how important they are in protecting far more than just your data is a key point that children need to understand. Providing your child with basic digital literary skills will help protect themselves, but also provide them with the means of empowerment knowing that they can protect themselves online.

Technology and media will continue to influence the Canadian youth of today. Parents and teachers alike should become involved with their children or student’s online habits, coupled with teaching digital literary skills to provide children the tools they need to protect themselves.

Follow the link for more information on the MediaSmarts study.