Ottawa Youth Sound Alarm on Internet Safety in Parliament
Young advocates from Ottawa have taken their concerns about online safety directly to Parliament, calling for stronger legislative action to protect children and youth from harmful social media content. Their testimony comes as the federal government considers reintroducing Bill C-63, known as the Online Harms Act, later this year.
Personal Testimony Highlights Social Media Dangers
Seventeen-year-old Josephine Maharaj told the House of Commons heritage committee that current efforts to make the internet safer for young people remain woefully inadequate. Despite her own limited social media use, Maharaj described witnessing how these platforms have profoundly shaped her peers' lives.
"I definitely see among peers a lot more anxiety about their perceptions of self," Maharaj explained. "We're in this huge transition phase of our lives, and then you have social media that basically acts as a magic mirror for us that highlights our insecurities. It sets the bar for what we must be or what we must attain to an impossible level, and we're never going to catch up."
The Influencer Economy and Hidden Dangers
Maharaj, who only began using social media regularly about eighteen months ago, expressed feeling overwhelmed by the constant stream of influencer content pushed by algorithms on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. She noted that many accounts subtly promote products through affiliate links while presenting lavish lifestyles as normal.
"That's their main job," Maharaj stated. "You click on something that you find interesting, then you start getting affiliate links and sponsored videos. Often, they don't overtly tell you that the video is sponsored. This idea is ingrained into social media: they're going to profit off of you, and you just have to live with it."
Youth Advocates Call for Legislative Action
Maharaj emphasized that banning social media isn't the solution, as these platforms have become integral to modern life. Instead, she urged the government to help young people develop mindful approaches to technology use.
"I wanted to encourage the government, young people, our parents and our siblings to think about how we use it mindfully as a tool," she said. "It shouldn't have to play a major role in our daily lives."
Younger Voices Join the Call for Change
Twelve-year-old Zachary Fathally also testified before the committee, sharing his perspective on internet addiction and its impact on real-world relationships. While acknowledging the internet's benefits for connecting with friends and watching entertaining content, Fathally described how excessive screen time can interfere with face-to-face interactions.
He has consciously shifted his focus toward outdoor activities like soccer and spending quality time with friends at school. Fathally joined Maharaj in calling for legislative action, specifically urging the government to reintroduce the Online Harms Act.
"I want the government to put the legal responsibility on big tech companies to address the full spectrum of online harms," Fathally declared. "I want them to reintroduce the Online Harms Act."
The Path Forward for Online Safety
The youth testimonies highlighted several critical concerns about the current digital landscape:
- Inadequate protection against grooming, exploitation, and harmful content
- The psychological impact of unrealistic lifestyle portrayals by influencers
- Addictive platform designs that prioritize engagement over user wellbeing
- The need for corporate accountability in addressing online harms
Both advocates stressed that young people cannot simply "log off" from platforms that have become embedded in social and educational contexts. Their testimony represents a growing youth-led movement demanding that policymakers take concrete steps to create safer digital environments for Canada's next generation.
