Globally, it is estimated that 300 million children experience on-line sexual abuse each year and the majority are happening on social media platforms. Why? Tech companies prioritize profit over the safety and health of children.
Studies reveal that approximately one in three young people say that they have seen explicit hard-core porn by age 12, many stumbling into porn accidentally. Research clearly indicates the harmful effects of porn on a child’s mental health, on their understanding of healthy relationships and sexual attitudes.
It is proven that underage exposure leads to increased sexual violence, an increased possibility of purchasing sex late in life which directly escalates the incidents of sex trafficking.
Let us call on our Canadian government to follow the example of other countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Italy and over 20 states of the USA who have put measures in place to protect their young people and to hold tech companies responsible for their self interests, putting economic profit ahead of the health and safety of youth.
Bill S-209, an act to protect youth from exposure to pornographic material, has been introduced into the House of Commons for review, study and hopefully passing quickly, requires platforms that make sexual or erotic material to verify the age of persons accessing.
The bill makes it an offence for any organization, for commercial purposes, to make pornographic material available on the Internet to a young person, under 16. It is the responsibility of the company, producing or distributing pornographic material on-line, to use age verification measures to protect minors from exposure to porn online.
Bill S-209 requires the three readings in the House before a vote to become law. Now is the time to contact the Prime Minister and/or your Member of Parliament to request their support for this bill. Now is the moment to voice your concern for our children and advocate strongly for the immediate passage of this important bill (see sample letter below).
This is not only a health and safety issue but a human rights issue.
Parents are unable to monitor their children’s behaviour 24 hours a day. They need the support of government to keep their children safe.
Recently, there was a case in California where the Jury ordered Meta and YouTube to pay the plaintiff $6 million for neglecting to make child safety a priority. The youth in this case started viewing porn on YouTube at age 8 and quickly became addicted, severely damaging her mental health, even fuelling suicidal thoughts.
According to an Angus Reid institute poll released this past year, the vast majority of Canadians (75%) say they would support a ban on social media for under the age of 16. According to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, 93% of teen victims think Canada should legally force apps and platforms to prevent harm online.
Government has put restrictions for offline access to harmful substances as well as harmful activities for underage youth so why not restrictions to protect their health for online access. Our Canadian youth deserve the best now and into the future. Our government must act now.
SAMPLE LETTER TO SEND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
(Find your MP’s contact information – go to https://www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members)
Address Date
Subject: Please support Bill S-209
Dear (MP’s name),
I am a Canadian citizen writing to you today with regard to a matter of urgent importance. Our responsibility is to protect the health and safety of our Canadian children and youth from exposure to online pornography.
Bill S-209 having passed the Senate and is now in the House of Commons for study and review with hopefully a speedy passage into law. This bill requires pornography companies to prevent minors from accessing their sites through the use of age verification tools.
Canada has fallen behind in ensuring the health and safety of our young people. Other countries such as UK, France, Australia and over 20 States in the USA have moved forward to protect their young people from exposure to online pornography. Age verification tools are now be used to ascertain the age of users without breaching their privacy rights.
Research clearly indicates the harmful effects of porn on a child’s mental health, on their understanding of healthy relationships and sexual attitudes. It is proven that underage exposure leads to increased sexual violence, an increased possibility of purchasing sex late in life which directly escalates the incidents of sex trafficking.
According to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, 93% of teen victims think Canada should legally force apps and platforms to prevent harm online.
I ask you to support this important bill to make Canada safer for our youth. Every Canadian child deserves to be brought up in a safe and healthy environment, free from abuse, violence and destructive influences.
Sincerely,
(Your name and address, postal code)
Sr. Nancy Brown, SC, has served as a member of Archdiocese of Vancouver Anti-Human Trafficking Committee, and is a long-time advocate on behalf of youth and young people at risk of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
