Más allá del proyecto de ley C-34: por qué la alfabetización digital y la participación de los padres siguen siendo importantes

Families should not assume that a proposed law will immediately create a safer online experience for children and youth. The responsibility for helping young people navigate digital spaces safely remains a shared one.

Technology Cannot Replace Trusted Adults

Many parents are understandably looking for solutions that can help reduce online risks.

While technology can play an important role, no technical safeguard can replace the value of trusted adults who are actively involved in a child’s digital life.

Young people benefit most when they have:

• Open conversations about online experiences
• Guidance on how to recognize manipulation, scams, and harmful content
• Opportunities to ask questions without fear of punishment
• Trusted adults they can approach when something goes wrong

In many cases, the greatest protective factor is not a technical control but a strong relationship between a young person and the adults who support them.

Digital Literacy Is More Important Than Ever

Whether new regulations are introduced or not, young people will continue to encounter online challenges.

They will still need to know how to:

• Evaluate information critically
• Identify scams and misinformation
• Protect their privacy
• Manage their digital reputation
• Recognize manipulative online behaviour
• Report harmful or concerning content
• Make informed decisions about what they share online

These are learned skills. They cannot be automated or legislated into existence.

Digital literacy helps people make safer decisions not only on today’s platforms, but also on the platforms and technologies that have not yet been created.

The Privacy Questions Around Age Verification

One of the most discussed aspects of online safety legislation is age verification.

Many people assume age verification is simple. In practice, it can be complex.

Different systems may require different forms of verification, such as government-issued identification, third-party verification services, facial age estimation technologies, or other approaches.

While the goal may be to protect younger users, Canadians should also understand the privacy implications of any system that collects or processes personal information.

Important questions include:

• What information is being collected?
• Who stores that information?
• How long is it retained?
• Who can access it?
• What happens if that information is compromised?

These questions matter for everyone, regardless of age.

Protecting children and protecting privacy are not mutually exclusive goals. Both deserve careful consideration.

Some Behaviour May Move Out of Sight

One challenge with any online restriction is that people often adapt. Young people are often highly capable technology users. When barriers are introduced, some may seek alternative platforms, create secondary accounts, use shared credentials, or move conversations into less visible spaces.

In some cases, risks may become harder for parents and caregivers to observe.

This is another reason why communication, trust, and education remain so important. Young people who feel comfortable discussing their online experiences are more likely to seek help when they encounter problems.

Online Safety Is a Shared Responsibility

Online safety cannot rest entirely on any one group.

Technology companies have responsibilities.

Governments have responsibilities.

Schools have responsibilities.

Community organizations have responsibilities.

Parents and caregivers have responsibilities.

Most importantly, young people themselves need the knowledge and confidence to make informed choices online.

Meaningful progress requires all of these groups working together.

What Families Can Do Today

Regardless of how legislation evolves, there are practical steps families can take right now:

Talk Early and Often

Create regular opportunities to discuss online experiences, not just when problems occur.

Focus on Skills, Not Just Restrictions

Help young people understand why certain behaviours are risky rather than relying solely on rules.

Learn Together

Technology changes quickly. Parents do not need to know everything, but they should remain curious and engaged.

Discuss Privacy

Help children understand what information apps, websites, and online services collect about them.

Encourage Critical Thinking

Teach young people to question information, verify sources, and recognize attempts to manipulate their emotions or behaviour.

Build Trust

Children are more likely to seek help when they know they will be supported rather than judged.

Looking Beyond the Headlines

Legislation can play an important role in shaping online environments, but it should not be viewed as a complete solution.

For the foreseeable future, the most effective tools available to families remain the same: education, critical thinking, digital literacy, cybersafety skills, and open communication.

Regardless of how laws, platforms, or technologies evolve, these skills will continue to help people navigate the digital world safely and confidently.

At KnowledgeFlow, we believe that building these skills remains one of the most effective ways to support young people, families, and communities in an increasingly connected world.