BPW International and its Affiliates advocate that governments legislate with urgency:
a. stronger regulation of online platforms, including introducing global standards for social media reform to ensure effectiveness, connectedness and consistency (e.g. the Centre for Countering Digital Hate’s STAR Framework);
b. improved transparency requirements, human rights protections and independent oversight around the algorithms, advertising, and rules enforcement for online platforms;
c. rigorous government content filtering systems particularly for child abuse sexual material, with independent accountability mechanisms;
d. requiring internet service providers to filter with rigour illegal content, with independent accountability mechanisms;
e. strong civil and criminal penalties for people and organisations who commit online harm;
f. strong civil and criminal penalties for online platforms that fail to create safe spaces and/or respond adequately when harm occurs;
g. improved national data gathering and reporting online harm with a sociodemographic lens; and
h. more investment in education around online harm that considers how to communicate effectively with target audiences such as young people, other vulnerable groups and potential perpetrators.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women urge the Government of Canada, specifically the Minister of Justice; Minister of Public Safety; and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and develop legislation to end online harm through stronger regulation and education. BPW Canada sponsored a resolution in 2022 “Increase Awareness of Supervision for Online Child Protection” to encourage more legislation in this evolving issue.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women urge the Government of Canada, specifically the Minister of Justice; Minister of Public Safety; and Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and develop legislation to end online harm through stronger regulation and education. BPW Canada sponsored a resolution in 2022 “Increase Awareness of Supervision for Online Child Protection” to encourage more legislation in this evolving issue.