Kaitlynn Mendes

(She/Her)

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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

Alexa Dodge, Saint Mary’s University; Charlotte Nau, Western University; Christopher Dietzel, Western University, and Kaitlynn Mendes, Western University

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.
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 ?

Christopher Dietzel, Concordia University and Kaitlynn Mendes, Western University

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.
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?

Christopher Dietzel, Concordia University and Kaitlynn Mendes, Western University

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.
Many young women and girls report facing gender-based violence online. Appropriate responses need to be created within this dire landscape. (Shutterstock)

Addressing online gender violence requires both culture and policy change

Jaigris Hodson, Royal Roads University; Esteban Morales, University of Groningen; Kaitlynn Mendes, Western University, and Yimin Chen, RMIT University

Everyone — from academics to policymakers to the public — needs to think about how we can address toxic beliefs to create long-lasting change and foster safer online communities.
Technology-facilitated sexual violence encompasses non-consensual sexual imagery like deepfakes and unsolicited dick pics, gendered harassment and cyberstalking, as well as networks of misogyny on social media. (Shutterstock)

Tackling digital sexual violence in Canada requires updated policies and procedures

Yimin Chen, Royal Roads University; Chandell Gosse, Cape Breton University; Jaigris Hodson, Royal Roads University, and Kaitlynn Mendes, Western University

When violence prevention policies and programs don’t reflect how it unfolds in today’s networked and digitally-connected world, they cannot be effective.
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

Christopher Dietzel, Concordia University; Alexa Dodge, Saint Mary’s University; Kaitlynn Mendes, Western University; Nikita Kalwani, Western University, and Suzie Dunn, Dalhousie University

It’s time we stop treating young people’s experiences in digital and physical spaces as distinct and mutually exclusive.
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’

Estefanía Reyes, Western University; Alexa Dodge, Saint Mary’s University; Christopher Dietzel, Dalhousie University; Kaitlynn Mendes, Western University, and Suzie Dunn, Dalhousie University

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

Estefanía Reyes, Western University; Alexa Dodge, Saint Mary’s University; Christopher Dietzel, Concordia University; Kaitlynn Mendes, Western University, and Suzie Dunn, Dalhousie University

New approaches are needed to address the scope of abuse young people can experience when online.
(Shutterstock)

Why Facebook and other social media companies need to be reined in

Kaitlynn Mendes, Western University; Jacquelyn Burkell, Western University; Jane Bailey, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa, and Valerie Steeves, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

What can and should be done in light of response to the Facebook Files? The issues are undoubtedly complex, but solutions need to centre on children’s rights and prioritize what young people need.

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