Christopher Dietzel

(he/him)
Real images of violent content used to remain in the internet’s dark corners. Now they circulate widely on mainstream social media. (Unsplash)

Most Canadian teens have seen graphic violence online, and algorithms — not searches — are to blame

Eighty-five per cent of teens have seen gore online, but only seven per cent searched for it. Current content moderation and safety features aren’t fixing the problem.
Technology-facilitated sexual violence includes harmful practices such as sexual name-calling, rumour spreading, non-consensual distribution of nudes, and other forms of sexual harassment. (imgix/Unsplash)

More than a quarter of Canadian teens have experienced sexual violence online

A new survey reveals that almost a third of youth have been exposed to technology-facilitated sexual violence. Better protective and educational measures are needed.
L'Australie est le premier pays à avoir interdit les médias sociaux aux adolescents. Le Canada peut-il s'en inspirer? (Shutterstock)

L’Australie interdira les médias sociaux aux adolescents. Le Canada devrait‑il faire de même ?

Alors que la loi canadienne sur les préjudices en ligne est débattue, les députés pourraient se tourner vers d’autres pays, comme l’Australie, pour obtenir des conseils.
Anonymous surveys protect participants from becoming targets of anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate. However, researchers need to be careful about the potential for bad actors to spoil survey data. (Shutterstock)

AI can affect anonymous surveys. Here are some ways for researchers to mitigate its impact

Online surveys are a great way to gather data, but there is an increasing risk that data collection may be threatened by ‘bad actors’ and artificial intelligence.
Australia is the first country to implement a nationwide ban of social media for teens, but other measures have been enacted or are being considered here in Canada. (Shutterstock)

Australia is banning social media for teens. Should Canada do the same?

As Canada’s Online Harms Act is being debated, MPs may look to other countries, like Australia, for guidance on protecting youth from online harms.
Technology-facilitated sexual violence can have significant consequences on a person’s health and well-being. (Shutterstock)

Canadian schools need to address digital sexual violence in their curricula and policies

It’s time we stop treating young people’s experiences in digital and physical spaces as distinct and mutually exclusive.
Protesters and counter-protesters at a demonstration against sexual orientation and gender identity programs in schools, in front of Parliament Hill on Sept. 20, 2023. The protest was one of many across Canada, organized by “1MillionMarch4Children,” against so-called “gender ideology” being taught in schools. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Queerphobic hate is on the rise, and LGBTQ+ communities in Canada need more support

LGBTQ+ people face significant harms from online hate.
Memotivasi generasi muda untuk berpikir kritis tentang risiko online membantu mereka memahami bagaimana stereotip, kesenjangan, dan standar ganda seksis berdampak pada orang-orang di dunia online. AYO Production/Shutterstock.

Belajar dari Kanada: kaum muda membutuhkan lebih banyak dukungan untuk mengatasi bahaya seksual ‘online’

Pendekatan baru diperlukan untuk mengatasi cakupan pelecehan yang dialami remaja saat ‘online’.
Motivating young people to think critically about online risks helps them understand how stereotypes, inequalities and sexist double standards impact people online. (Shutterstock)

Young people need more support coping with online sexual harms

New approaches are needed to address the scope of abuse young people can experience when online.
As for-profit corporations, should dating apps be taking care of us? Should they act as health authorities? (Shutterstock)

Relationships during a pandemic: How dating apps have adapted to COVID‑19

Dating apps were created to help people connect online, then meet in person… How have they responded to the pandemic? And what role do they play in helping people adjust to this new dating reality?

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