Highlights from a Candid Conversation on Raising Kids in the Digital Age

On September 11, 2024, Today’s Parent hosted a thoughtful panel discussion at OCAD U CO, diving into the challenges and opportunities families face in today’s digital world. Moderated by Megan Sweeney, Managing Editor at Today’s Parent, the event aimed to equip parents and educators with practical tools to handle online safety, screen time, and media literacy for children in a tech-driven world.

As a mother of two, Sweeney began by sharing her own challenges with managing her children’s screen time. “What is she seeing? What is she being exposed to?” she asked, voicing the concerns of many parents in the audience. The panel, which included YouTube creator Leanne Lee, MediaSmarts Director of Education Mathew Johnson, and Lindsay Doyle, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy at YouTube Canada, offered a wide-ranging conversation on how parents, educators, and platforms can work together to guide children in the digital age.

Setting the Scene: The State of Media Literacy in Canada

Mathew Johnson kicked things off by offering a snapshot of media literacy in Canada. He explained that although digital literacy is part of most provincial curriculums, there’s limited data on what’s actually being taught. “There’s a difference between what’s in the curriculum and what’s being taught, and an even bigger gap between what kids actually learn,” Johnson said. He called for more national research, like in the U.K. and U.S., to identify and address gaps in media education.

Johnson also emphasized the importance of parents learning digital literacy alongside their children. “Parents are learning this at the same time as their kids,” he added, highlighting how parents’ behaviors and understanding play a big role in shaping their kids’ online experiences.

Balancing Screen Time and Trust

Leanne Lee, a parent herself, shared her approach to managing her nine-year-old daughter’s screen time. She’s careful about limiting screen time but stressed the value of co-viewing content. “I sit with her, we watch together, and if she’s confused about something, we talk it through,” said Lee. She emphasized the importance of communication and trust, encouraging parents to engage in open conversations about what their kids encounter online.

Lindsay Doyle echoed this, sharing YouTube’s tools for young users. For her five-year-old, Doyle relies on YouTube Kids, a curated platform with age-appropriate content and screen time reminders. She also noted that YouTube recently introduced new teen supervision tools  designed for older children that allows parents to keep a watchful but not overbearing eye on their teens’ digital habits.

Flagging and Moderating Content

A hot topic for parents was moderating and flagging content. Doyle explained that YouTube enforces strict community guidelines and offers tools for flagging inappropriate material. However, Johnson pointed out that many young people don’t know how to use these tools effectively. “We need to empower kids to make a difference in their online communities by teaching them how to flag harmful content,” he said, urging parents to be involved in this process alongside their children. Lee mentioned that she worries about what her daughter is processing when it comes to body image and online content, and the discussion turned to a new feature on YouTube for younger users. Doyle shared more on how YouTube thinks about this, noting “We’ve implemented guardrails for teens and tweens to limit repeated recommendations of videos related to topics like idealized physical features, or body weights. The recommendation system enhancements provide an additional safety layer for young users, on top of YouTube's existing rules of the road.”

As the event wrapped up, Sweeney asked the panelists for their top takeaways for navigating the digital world with kids. Johnson’s advice was simple yet insightful: “Co-view with your kids and coach them through their digital experiences.” Doyle added that parents should get to know the tools available on platforms like YouTube to keep their children safe while allowing them the freedom to explore.

As the evening wound down, guests gathered with our panel for a relaxed networking hour, enjoying signature drinks and delicious canapés provided by elle cuisine. The event was a shining example of how we at Today’s Parent aim to provide a platform for essential conversations that help families navigate the complexities of modern parenting. By bringing together experts, parents, and educators, we’re able to open dialogue on the issues that matter most, empowering families to make informed decisions in an increasingly digital world.

Resources for parents:

• Supporting healthy media experiences for kids https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resources/supporting-healthy-media-experiences-kids

• Co-viewing with your kids https://mediasmarts.ca/teacher-resources/co-viewing-your-kids

• Four tips for managing your kids' screen time https://mediasmarts.ca/four-tips-managing-your-kids-screen-time