We know Facebook can do more to protect our kids and teens on their platforms.
We see firsthand the negative impact social media is having on young people, from body image issues to depression and anxiety, online bullying to rampant misinformation. As Canada’s largest dedicated organization for children and youth, we are asking Facebook to do more.
A global company of this size can move faster, must move faster. Young people deserve better.
What needs to change:
- Facebook needs to be better at policing users under 13 and improving verification processes; the federal government should also develop regulations to ensure these verification processes are rigorous and mandatory across social media platforms
- Facebook should be liable for negative, false, or damaging content that their algorithms promote e.g. promotion of eating disorders, bullying, predatory behaviour, etc
- Youth should have the right to be forgotten at age 18—their prior social media life could be disconnected and archived, viewable to them only, and a fresh profile would start again at that stage
As we recognize International #DayOfTheGirl, #WorldMentalHealthDay, and Mental Illness Awareness Week #MIAW21, we are taking a pause from Facebook and Instagram this week and asking them to do more to protect our young people.
Join us in asking Facebook to do better.
Media inquiries:
Jared Morrow, BGC Canada
jmorrow@bgccan.com
905-477-7272 x2202
