New learning session series to focus on young people, online hate, and policy building
After April 2025’s Youth Forum, it was clear that there are four primary areas of policy in which we need to dig deeper to understand the kind of action that young people suggest, and the safety points they request from policymakers, gaming, and social media platforms.
Now you are invited to join four foundational online sessions where young people will take the lead!
In each of these two-hour online sessions, you will get:
Youth-led insights: Hear directly from young people shaping the conversation.
Collaborative learning: Engage in dialogue with peers, stakeholders, and decision makers
Policy in action: Explore recommendations for effective protections and rights-based digital policies.
Young people will serve as panellists or conversation starters, and interested young people, decision-makers/stakeholders, and advocates will be invited to further discuss recommendations and how to enact or advocate for action.
Whether you're a gamer, policymaker, educator, or advocate, this is a space for deep listening, meaningful exchange, and collective visioning.
Session 1| Shaping Safer Digital Worlds: Voices of Young Women and Gender Diverse Gamers
September 16, 2025 | 6:00 PM MT
Online gaming is more than just play, it’s a space where friendships are formed, identities explored, and, unfortunately, where harm is often experienced. In this session, a panel of young women and gender-diverse gamers will share their lived experiences navigating discrimination, harassment, bullying, and exploitation in digital gaming spaces. Together with participants, they will engage in a meaningful dialogue about accountability, systemic change, and what it takes to create safer and more inclusive online environments. Panelists will offer personal insights and ideas for transforming gaming spaces and reflect on who bears the responsibility for ensuring digital safety and equity.
Session 2 | ICE UNIT: Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence
October 7, 2025 | 6:00 PM MT
Over the last few years, technology has been increasingly used as a method of gender-based violence (GBV) in Canada, whether that is through the use of generative AI or social media creating spaces of vulnerability for those at risk of being targeted. In this session, panelists will discuss the ways in which technology is being used as a tool of GBV, policies and practices around addressing technology-faciliated GBV, and possible solutions that can be implemented from both corporations and governments.
Session 3 | Corporations, Misinformation and Disinformation
October 28, 2025 | 6:00 PM MT
Who should take responsibility for the spread of misinformation and disinformation online? Solutions to address mis/disinformation typically treat it as an individual problem, with systems that punish on a case by case basis. However, online social networks and news corporations often position themselves outside of the framework of responsibility for mis/disinformation, despite them often benefiting from the increased engagement mis/disinformation generates online. In this session, panelists will speak on the role corporations must have in addressing the spread of mis/disinformation, how governments need to be responding to this epidemic, and the policies needed to hold both corporations and government accountable.
Session 4 | Economic Fraud, Crypto, and Investment
November 25, 2025 | 6:00 PM MT
As economic fraud becomes more sophisticated and prevalent online, the targets of it have become younger. Young men and boys in particular are increasingly at risk of being targeted for cryptocurrency and investment scams through online communities disguised to look like wellness, self-help, or entertainment groups. While early introduction of scams can look like innocent connections with social media influencers or online gaming, these can often serve as platforms to ensure young people are less wary or more comfortable engaging with potential scams as they get older. In this session, panelists will discuss the prevalence of online scams, how young people are introduced to scams early through connection with social media influencers and gaming, and what steps can be taken to address vulnerability to scams while online.
These sessions are made possible in part through the CIRA Net Good Fund and Youth Take Charge Program, Department of Canadian Heritage.