Fostering Respect in a Digital World

A report from the Governor General’s Symposium: Building a Safe and Respectful Digital World

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Overview

The Symposium that was held on April 11, 2024 at Rideau Hall brought together over 150 leaders, subject matter experts, and people with lived experience who are passionate about creating change and developing solutions to limit the devastating effects of online abuse. Participants included academics, journalists, government officials, mental health practitioners, technology industry representatives, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, members of the diplomatic corps, and youth leaders from across the country.

Highlights

Guests from all walks of life and backgrounds attended the symposium – Indigenous peoples, career professionals from various sectors, people of different age groups, races, and religions, as well as personal storytellers and allies. Networking opportunities throughout the day supported cross-sectoral engagement and the development of new partnerships. A symbolic safe space was created by having guests and participants seated in a circle.

A fireside chat with journalist Lisa LaFlamme and the Governor General highlighted how far-reaching the impacts of online abuse can be, especially for women in leadership positions. Their conversation highlighted the power of our collective voices and that each voice that speaks up amplifies our efforts and inspires change. When people in leadership speak out, others don’t feel so alone on their journey.

As one participant said: “As a young Indigenous woman with brown skin, the fear of compromising my online safety has played a huge factor in not wanting to put my name forward for certain opportunities. Seeing the first Indigenous Governor General Her Excellency Mary Simon share similar experiences of cyber bullying, while standing in her power gave me the confidence to take up space.”

Insights on the ‘Impacts’ of online hate from those with lived experience

While many testimonies were inspiring, panelists and participants also shared difficult and discouraging stories about the pervasive impacts of online hate. Panelists were candid about the impacts of online abuse on their own lives, from the loss of employment and professional opportunities, to threats of violence and disengagement from society. Certain key themes emerged, including the impacts on social, mental, and physical well-being that online abuse can have on an individual. The symposium demonstrated how all-encompassing these impacts can be.

  • Feeling isolated and alone is a real impact of online abuse, and throughout the Symposium, many individuals indicated they have feared for their personal security and for that of their families.
  • Online abuse can cause individuals to withdraw from social spaces out of fear.
  • The impacts on an individual’s mental health often turn physical when the impacts are internalized.
  • We need mentors with lived experience and allies to speak up, to show support the younger generation.
  • Individuals who experience online abuse as part of their job need access to mental health support, rather than seeking support outside the workplace at their own cost.
  • Online abuse can lead to losses of income and opportunity in both traditional and online employment, and can incite fear of losing credibility in public spheres.

As one participant said: “Every company that makes a space should make it a safe space.”

Insights on ‘Solutions’ from subject matter experts

The solutions discussed by experts and stakeholders provided insights on the importance of ongoing education, further research and the creation of tailored supports for different groups. It inspired a rich discussion on the need to speak up, speak out, “call in” and educate others.

  • Resources are needed for parents, youth and teachers. Youth are disproportionally affected by online hate, and need support to better navigate its impacts.
  • There is a need for clear and well publicized rules and community guidelines on social media platforms that make it easier to identify and report abuse.
  • We need more transparency and accountability in how news stories are collected as it can play a role in fueling online abuse.
  • We need to “meet people where they’re at” with culturally appropriate resources – we need diverse perspectives.
  • Rather than disengaging from civic discourse, we need to create safe spaces, especially for those without a voice and those struggling to be heard.
  • Some online platforms host virtual communities which can be a lifeline to vulnerable individuals. Stepping away from these communities could remove an important safety net of support for these individuals, particularly those who experience discrimination.
  • We need an ecosystem of support – there are many people who want to be allies but don’t know how. 
  • We need empathy – speaking up and sharing experiences may encourage others to do the same and foster a network of allies that will stand in and support.
  • When thinking about solutions, we need to remember that this affects everyone differently, and we need to broaden our insight into what that means for their needs.

As one participant said: “When you stop speaking, it doesn’t stop, it just stops it from being other people’s problem.”

How do we keep the ‘Conversation Going’?

Build a Network of Resilience

Participants were asked about what they were going to do next to keep the conversation going. A majority committed to create or expand their networks and partner with other organizations.

Following the symposium, participants were asked to provide online resources for education, prevention, allyship, and advocacy. These resources can be found here:

Building a Safe and Respectful Digital World

“Let’s continue to nurture this human-centric momentum as we develop our network of resilience.”

What’s next

Since the symposium, the Governor General participated in a digital respect event in Fredericton, which was hosted by local partner St. Thomas University. Over 180 guests from Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John and beyond attended this event, which included a fireside chat with Her Excellency, as well as a panel discussion with subject matter experts and individuals with lived experience. The Governor General emphasized the importance of creating networks of resilience and mentioned that she plans to travel across the country to participate in similar events to encourage people to talk about and increase awareness of this issue.

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