“Banning mobile phones outright in schools is not a viable solution. History shows that bans often lead to increased interest in prohibited activities,” writes Rhonda McEwan.
I know the answer to protecting kids online and it’s not banning cellphones
If I were advising social media platform owners, I would suggest that being the first to propose and implement effective solutions would garner widespread support and trust.
“Banning mobile phones outright in schools is not a viable solution. History shows that bans often lead to increased interest in prohibited activities,” writes Rhonda McEwan.
The recent lawsuit brought by four Ontario school boards against Meta Platforms Inc., owner of Facebook and Instagram, and the owners of Snapchat (Snap Inc), and TikTok (ByteDance), alleging they harm students and the education system, brings to light the urgent need for managing social media use in elementary schools.
As someone who has researched mobile social media for nearly two decades, it is evident that these technologies are deeply integrated into the lives of young people. Social media is not fading away.
Therefore, we must work toward shaping these platforms to prevent harmful outcomes, particularly for children.
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In Western countries, rules and guidelines on minors using technology have fallen short. Cyberbullying rates among Canadian children under 18 range from 30 per cent to 50 per cent, indicating a troubling trend that is on the rise. This data underscores the inadequacy of current approaches and the need for more effective strategies.
The recent symposium hosted by the Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon, focusing on building a safe and respectful digital world, highlights the gravity of the situation. Testimonies from individuals such as Carol Todd, mother of Amanda Todd, who tragically fell victim to online bullying and extortion leading to suicide, emphasize the urgent need for action. The symposium’s hashtag, #WeDeserveBetter, encapsulates the collective demand for change.
Banning mobile phones outright in schools is not a viable solution. History shows that bans often lead to increased interest in prohibited activities. Moreover, expecting teachers and administrators to police social media use is unrealistic and impractical.
Making schools safe is already a formidable task for parents and educators without expanding it to include the digital world. The only way to keep children safe online is to draw on resources and techniques beyond school fences.
Childproofing is a concept we already know — just think about the difficult-to-open medication bottles in our cabinets. Social media apps are designed to encourage high usage: more likes, more comments, more engagement, more time, these are the target metrics. For our younger users with developing executive functioning, compulsive use is an unsurprising result. This is not a bug in these apps but is a deliberate feature.
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So, what does a successful strategy look like?
A multi-pronged approach is necessary, but one crucial step is holding social media platform owners accountable. Technological solutions exist to restrict minors’ access to these platforms and they are within the scope of responsibility of platform owners who should develop the solutions and bear the costs to implement them.
Decisions must be made regarding age restrictions, enforcement mechanisms and which applications fall under these regulations. This is an urgent role for our government regulatory bodies to take on. While these challenges are complex, they are solvable, and the consequences of inaction are severe.
If I were advising social media platform owners, I would suggest that being the first to propose and implement effective solutions would garner widespread support and trust. By taking proactive measures, these companies can demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of users, especially children. There is room for a social media win, and it may be financial as well as moral.
Education and awareness are also key components of a successful strategy. Teaching digital literacy skills from an early age empowers children to navigate online spaces responsibly, and school boards are continuing to develop supporting curriculum. Parents, educators, and policymakers must work together to create a safer digital environment for all.
Ultimately, managing social media use in elementary schools requires a collective effort. It’s not about demonizing technology but rather about harnessing its potential while mitigating risks.
By holding platform owners accountable, promoting digital literacy, and adopting thoughtful policies, we can build a safer and more respectful online world for generations of Canadians to come.
Rhonda McEwen is president of Victoria University in the University of Toronto and Canada Research Chair in Tactile Interface, Communication and Cognition.
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