OAKVILLE — The Ontario government has announced plans to introduce new legislation aimed at strengthening protections for children’s personal information, particularly data generated by interactions with schools and children’s aid societies.
The proposed regulatory changes are intended to create enhanced safeguards against the potential misuse of children’s data, especially in the event of cyber incidents. These new rules may include age-appropriate standards for software programs used by students on devices such as laptops, as well as stricter guidelines for the procurement of software by schools to prevent the unauthorized use or sale of student data for marketing purposes by third parties.
Todd McCarthy, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery, emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe digital experience for children while they engage with public sector organizations like schools. “The evolving online world provides many opportunities for children’s education and growth but there are risks to their privacy and the collection and use of their personal information. Our government wants our children to have a healthy, safe and age-appropriate digital experience,” McCarthy said.
As children are increasingly accessing the internet at younger ages, concerns have grown about privacy violations and other risks, including cyberbullying and data-related harms. Experts highlight that many programs for young children collect digital identifiers and share them with third-party marketing companies, potentially exposing children to these risks.
In response, the Ontario government plans to collaborate with school boards, parents, and other organizations to ensure the right level of protection is put in place without compromising educational quality or limiting schools’ ability to choose the right tools for their classrooms.
Additionally, the province intends to consult with experts from the social media and tech industries, as well as law enforcement agencies, to address challenges related to cybercrimes, cyberbullying, online victimization of children, and access to age-appropriate online content. The government is also working on enhancing measures to ensure the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the public sector, including in schools.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce added, “Following previous actions to restrict social media and cell phones in schools, we are now taking further steps to protect children from online risks, focusing on issues like cyberbullying and ensuring safe, age-appropriate access to content.”
The government’s efforts are part of broader initiatives aimed at safeguarding children’s digital privacy and ensuring their well-being in an increasingly online world.
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