B.C. Launches Concrete Actions To Keep Kids Safe, Healthy

The province is looking to restrict the use of cellphones in BC classrooms.

“Today, kids live with different challenges than they did a generation ago, and they face them all in the palm of their hand,” said Premier David Eby.

“While cellphones, the internet and social media help us connect with each other, they also present risks that can harm kids. The impact and influence of these tools is so great, and the corporations so powerful, it can be overwhelming for parents. That’s why we are taking action to protect kids from the threats posed by online predators and the impacts of social media companies.”

The announcement included launching services to remove images from the internet and pursue predators; and legislation to hold social media companies accountable for the harm they may have caused.

The Province says it will work with school districts to ensure all schools have policies in place by the start of the next school year to be able to restrict students’ cellphone use in the classroom.

It is also ensuring more digital literacy training is available for students, so they have the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe from online predators, become good digital citizens and develop healthy relationships with technology.

The province is launching two new services to help people stop or prevent the distribution of explicit images of them and pursue damages from the perpetrators, which would improve access to justice and offer a clear path to legal action for victims.

In the spring, the Province will be introducing legislation to hold companies accountable for harm their products may have caused the public.

When it comes to social media companies, this legislation would enable the government to recover costs caused by harm to children and adults associated with their platforms and algorithms.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.