In a world where technology is often painted as the greatest and most current threat to our kids, it’s critical to step back and evaluate the actual risks that endanger Canadian youth and teen’s emotional, psychological, physical and social well-being. While concerns about social media, the internet, and smartphones are valid, they can overshadow deeper, more pervasive issues that can affect our kids mental health rooted in the places where children should feel the safest – their homes.
Recent discussions with a client illuminated the pressing need to refocus attention on the risks children face from abuse and neglect by those they know, love, or trust. It is in this context that the true scale of the problem comes into focus, revealing a sobering reality often overshadowed by the current technology debate taking place in both the press and in politics.
Yes, the rise of online sexual offenses against youth is concerning. In 2022 alone, 2,492 cases of such crimes were reported to law enforcement in Canada. (1) As alarming as these numbers are, they likely represent just a fraction of the true figure due to underreporting. However, while online dangers do demand our attention, they pale in comparison to the risks many children face with other threats within their own homes.
The following statistics paint a clearer picture of what the true threat to our kiddo’s are:
- Nearly 59,000 Canadian children and youth have been removed from their homes due to physical and sexual abuse or neglect in 2024. They now live in foster care, with extended family, or in institutional settings. (2)
- In 2024, an estimated 300,000 children live in precarious home environments where physical and sexual abuse or neglect is a significant risk. (2)
- In 2023, approximately 2.1 million children under 18 are growing up in food-insecure households, a staggering figure that underscores the systemic neglect of their basic needs.(3)
- In 2022, 40 Canadian children were victims of homicide, with many of these cases involving filicide—parents or caregivers responsible for the deaths. (3)
It’s easy to rally public attention around the dangers of social media because it feels immediate and tangible. Stories of cyberbullying, sextortion, or algorithm-driven harm dominate headlines. While these are some genuine concerns, they often distract from the hidden crises that are far more pressing and happening behind closed doors.
Yes, technology has its risks, but it also provides children with lifelines – avenues to seek help, access educational resources, and connect with supportive communities. Addressing the dangers of technology should not come at the expense of confronting the pervasive abuse, neglect, and poverty that compromise the futures of so many Canadian children. What is even more ironic – those youth who are most at risk offline, are the largest cohort of youth who are at greatest risk online. Studies have highlighted how vulnerabilities in a child’s offline environment, such as abuse, neglect, or unstable living conditions, are closely linked to their susceptibility to online risks, including exploitation, grooming, or cyberbullying. (4)
While it is essential to address the risks posed by technology, including social media and the internet, we must not lose sight of the deeper, more pressing dangers that many children face in their own homes. Physical and sexual abuse, neglect, food insecurity, and even homicide remain critical threats to children’s safety and well-being, yet these issues often receive far less attention than the over sensationalized dangers of screen use that is presently taking place.
True protection for our youth comes from tackling these systemic and hidden crises, ensuring that every child has a safe, nurturing environment where their basic needs are met. By broadening our focus and addressing the root causes of harm, both inside and outside the home, we can create a future where all children have the opportunity to thrive – not just survive. It’s time to act with purpose and compassion to address these critical challenges and provide our kids with the safety and support they truly deserve.
We must recognize that the dangers children face are multifaceted, requiring solutions that extend beyond the digital sphere. Advocating for stronger child welfare policies, increased resources for families in crisis, and enhanced support systems for children in vulnerable situations is imperative. Communities, policymakers, and caregivers all play a vital role in addressing these underlying issues.
At the same time, it’s important to shift the narrative to one that acknowledges both the risks and the benefits of technology. Digital tools can serve as lifelines for children in distress, offering access to education, support networks, and resources they may not have in their immediate surroundings. Instead of focusing solely on the negative impacts of technology, we need to empower children to use it responsibly and safely while also addressing the environments that put them at risk in the first place both offline and online.
The safety and well-being of our children should never be overshadowed by misplaced priorities. By turning our attention to the often-overlooked realities of physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and poverty, we can create meaningful change that ensures children grow up in homes and communities that foster security, love, and opportunity. It is only through this holistic approach that we can truly protect the next generation and help them reach their full potential.
It’s time to widen the lens through which we view risks to our children. Addressing technology’s impact is important, but we must not ignore the stark realities of physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and systemic failure that plague so many households which we believe is a much greater risk. True protection comes not just from monitoring screen time but from ensuring every child grows up in a home free from harm, with their basic needs met, and their emotional well-being safeguarded.
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech
References:
1/ https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2024001/article/00003-eng.htm
2/ https://cafdn.org/your-impact/why-we-help/
4/ https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/parenting4digitalfuture/2019/02/20/vulnerable-offline-and-at-risk-online/
