Centre for Media, Technology & Democracy

Space is limited. Reserve your free spot now at: tinyurl.com/urpnh5fm

After a live Q&A, you’ll have the chance to connect with organizations on the front lines of digital rights, online safety, and youth advocacy at our community showcase.

Join us in New York City on March 31 for a FREE evening with @JonHaidt, bestselling author of The Anxious Generation, in conversation with Ava Smithing, Gen Z host of Left to Their Own Devices. 🧵

Read the full article here: halifax.citynews.ca/2026/03/17/cul…

Unlike social media companies, which compete with news outlets by capturing ad revenue, "AI companies are absorbing the substance of journalism and delivering it directly to consumers as their own product.”

Canada's culture minister says it's time for a "serious conversation" about AI and news media. From @AnjaKaradeglija, The Canadian Press (March 17, 2026)🧵

According to @eslichan (PhD Candidate, Expert on Extremism & Gender), "Normalization of the underlying ideology is particularly harmful for youth who are viewing Clav's content because it can affirm rigid notions of how masculinity should be performed, reinforcing toxic ideals."

Although many social media users engage with looksmaxxing content ironically, memes can be a pathway toward more extremist or radical subcultures by normalizing this type of discourse as part of everyday online culture.

Data from the Centre's Media Ecosystem Observatory shows that 'looksmaxxing' is on the rise in Canada's online ecosystem, peaking in February following a viral video of Kick streamer Clavicular "getting brutally framemogged by an ASU frat leader." 🧵 @eslichan @bendavidsteel

The safety of our speakers and guests is our top priority. We are actively working to reschedule the convening and will share a new date as soon as possible. Thank you to everyone who planned to join us, we look forward to bringing this important conversation together very soon.

🚨 Due to the severe ice storm forecast for tomorrow and expected travel disruptions, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel Securing Canada’s Digital Sovereignty: A New Playbook for Youth Online Safety, scheduled for March 11 in Ottawa.

Are you a Gen Z Canadian (17–23)? We want to hear your thoughts on AI & data privacy! We just hosted our third #GenZAI forum, where 100 young Canadians drafted policy recommendations on AI data collection. Join the conversation here: tinyurl.com/yv6jz3rt

MEO researcher @eslichan spoke about our latest conspiracy brief on yesterday's episode of @iHeartRadioCA's The Andrew Carter Morning Show! Have a listen here: iheart.com/podcast/962-th…

You can read @taylor_owen and @helen__hayes' policy memo on scoping AI chatbots into a revised Online Harms Act and their response to OpenAI's letter to Minister Solomon here: tinyurl.com/39zve3ey

While OpenAI's voluntary commitments are a good start, they are no substitute for legislation establishing an independent regulator with authority to require risk assessments, set age-appropriate design standards, ensure compliance and enforce consequences when systems fail.

In the wake of the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, the Centre's Founding Director @taylor_owen and Associate Director of Policy @helen__hayes published a policy memo calling on the Canadian government to scope AI chatbots into a revised Online Harms Act. 🧵