These findings are shared in MediaSmarts’ new Life Online report, which is the first in a series of reports to be released as part of the latest phase of Young Canadians in a Wireless World, a national survey of 1,058 youth ages 9 to 17 conducted in Autumn 2021.

The study also found that:

• Most youth (77%) have their own smartphone. Most were given their first phone between the ages of 11-13 by a parent/guardian so that they could keep in touch with them.
  
  
• Many youth use digital devices for longer than the Canadian Pediatric Society’s screen time guidelines recommend, and 80% of youth keep smartphones in their bedrooms with them at night. (Research shows that keeping phones in bedrooms has been associated with increased daytime tiredness among teens.)
  
  
• Almost half (44%) of youth are worried about how much time they are spending online. However, more than half (59%) would be unhappy if they had to go offline for a week.
  
  
• Most parents (60%) aren’t spying on their kids online but are instead creating household rules and guidelines to be followed together with their children. Nine in 10 youth say their parents trust them to make good decisions when they’re online.

More findings are available in this one-page summary and in the full report.

“Our research shows that contrary to stereotypes, young people are self-aware when it comes to their screen use and are concerned about the screen time increases they are experiencing over the course of the pandemic,” says Dr. Kara Brisson-Boivin, Director of Research at MediaSmarts. “But it’s important to remember that technology is a social lifeline, and this research shows youth are using their devices mostly to connect with friends and family.”

“It’s also encouraging to hear that parents are using strategies outside of tech-based surveillance to manage their kids’ screen use. This helps promote trust and makes it more likely for youth to come to their parents/guardians when they need help online.

“This new research provides the important insights needed to continue to support positive tech use in youth. Some strategies MediaSmarts recommends for parents, guardians and trusted adults to consider based on this new research include:

• Develop a strategy around social media platforms as a family and give kids a safe way to explore these platforms.
• Encourage a joint account with a parent/guardian if a youth under 13 wants to try out a social media platform.
• Set up household rules around devices and internet use: there is a strong correlation between having rules in the home and how kids behave online.
• Canadian Pediatric Society screen time guidelines recommend avoiding screens for at least one hour before bedtime and refrain from bringing devices into the bedroom.
• Follow Canadian Pediatric Society advice to address screen time issues by following the 4 Ms: minimize screen use, use screens mindfully, mitigate media effects and model good media use.

Life Online is part of Young Canadians in a Wireless World (YCWW), Canada’s longest running and most comprehensive research study on young people’s attitudes, behaviour and opinions regarding the internet, technology and digital media. Five more reports based on the Phase IV data will be released from now until June 2023 on topics including: Online Problems, Privacy, Online Meanness and Cruelty, Sexting and Digital Media Literacy.

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“These same executives took away $2 an hour pandemic pay from their workers after only a few weeks of the first wave back in June 2020,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “The CEO’s and top execs continue to reap the rewards of COVID-19 boosted sales while their workers face the risks to keep food on the table for Canadians.”

The Globe and Mail reports that executives at Metro Inc., Loblaw Companies Ltd. and Sobeys parent company Empire Company Ltd. received near maximum personal bonuses during their most recent fiscal years. In the past two fiscal years, Empire CEO Michael Medline made more than $20 million including stock options. In its last fiscal year, Metro paid CEO Eric La Flèche more than $5 million, including stocks and options, while Loblaw Executive Chairman Galen G. Weston made $3.55 million and now retired President Sarah Davis more than $4.5 million.

With major grocery chains poised to maintain record sales in 2022, as restrictions increase to combat the highly contagious Omicron variant, Unifor is reiterating calls for the immediate reinstatement of the $2 pandemic pay for workers.

“The salaries and bonuses for those at the top are supported by a business structure that refuses to provide full-time jobs to frontline workers, with many of their part-time workforce only receiving a pay increase when minimum wage goes up,” said Unifor Assistant to the National President Chris MacDonald. “Many of these workers are struggling to get by while their corporate bosses are rewarded with multi-million dollar payouts.”

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The global pandemic called on March 11, 2020 as a result of COVID-19 has brought national media attention to physical healthcare needs of Canadians. Meanwhile, amid physical distancing, isolation protocols and lockdown measures, the mental health of Canadians has been negatively impacted. According to the study, 28 per cent of Canadians admit their mental health has deteriorated during the pandemic, while 69 per cent believe Canada is currently experiencing a mental health pandemic.

“To know Canadians are suffering from a mental health standpoint is heartbreaking, but, unfortunately, not surprising,” notes Karim Mamdani, President and CEO of Ontario Shores, a specialty mental health hospital which has been treating mental illness for more than a century.

“This should serve as a warning for policy and decision-makers that the demands for mental health services will continue to increase at an alarming rate as we continue living through the COVID-19 pandemic and long after it is over.”

Canada is not alone in this discovery. According to WHO, the pandemic is increasing demand for mental health services around the world. Bereavement, isolation, loss of income and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones. Many people may be facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use, insomnia, and anxiety.

“Ontario Shores, like so many other mental healthcare providers has witnessed an increased demand for services over the last 18 months,” says Mamdani. “We believe this is just the beginning and even greater pressure to support the mental health of the communities we serve is right around the corner.”

In addition to decreasing mental health, many Canadians are concerned they will not be able to easily access care should they need help managing their mental health. The study found that two-thirds (66 per cent) of Canadians believe there are not enough mental health services and supports available in their local community.

“Confidence in knowing you can access quality mental health care within your own community will encourage people to reach out for help early in their journey with mental illness,” says Lori Lane-Murphy, a speaker, writer and mental health advocate who lives with Bipolar II Disorder. “When you are struggling with your mental health, any barrier is too big a barrier. Being able to access care when you need it will help Canadians manage their mental health and help them live meaningful lives.”

SOURCE Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences

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