Let’s help kids thrive in the digital world

June 11, 2026

Kudos to the Government of Canada for advancing regulations to build a safer and healthier digital ecosystem for kids and teens with the proposed Safe Social Media Act.

“Digital tools can be positive. They help kids connect, communicate, and even access support when it’s needed,” says EKO President & CEO Jennifer Churchill. “But how do you teach kids to set healthy boundaries when social media and AI never sleep?”

A growing body of literature shows engagement and depression, anxiety, cyberbullying, body image issues, poor academic performance, low self-esteem, feelings of isolation, eating disorders, and suicidal tendencies are problems fueled by the intentionally addictive design of social networking platforms.

A 2019 Ruderman Family Foundation report found students with disabilities were more likely than typically developing students to experience higher highs and lower lows when using social media. Students with disabilities said they are more likely to find support and felt better about themselves when using social media. They were also 1.8 times more likely to be victims and 1.7 times more likely to be perpetrators of cyberbullying; the connection for depressive symptoms and suicide ideation was also particularly strong for these students.

“We need a safer digital ecosystem—one that includes stronger rules for technology, better protections for kids, and support for healthy use at home and in school,” says Churchill.