In this thought-provoking episode, we speak with Professors Jane Bailey and Valerie Steeves, co-leaders of The eQuality Project, a pioneering initiative focused on young people’s experiences of privacy and equality in digitally networked environments.

Part 1 of our conversation dives into how surveillance is normalized in educational and social media contexts, why that matters for youth, and what needs to change in how we approach children’s digital rights. Jane and Valerie reflect on how their research with young people sheds light on the disconnect between adult perceptions of digital safety and the real concerns youth express—particularly around control, visibility, and relationships of trust.

🎧 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How young people’s digital lives are shaped by surveillance in schools and on platforms
• Why digital privacy is about more than just data—it’s about dignity and identity
• How legal frameworks are lagging behind young people’s actual digital experiences
• Why youth-centered research methods are key to understanding their needs and protecting their rights

👩‍🏫 About the Guests:

• Professor Jane Bailey is a law professor at the University of Ottawa specializing in cyberfeminism, equality, and technology law.
• Professor Valerie Steeves is a legal scholar and sociologist at the University of Ottawa with extensive experience in youth-focused digital privacy research. She is also the principal investigator of the MediaSmarts Young Canadians in a Wired World study.

Together, they co-lead The eQuality Project, a SSHRC-funded partnership that brings together researchers and community organizations to improve digital inclusion and rights for youth.

📌 Relevant Links:

• The eQuality Project
• Young Canadians in a Wired World – MediaSmarts

📢 Stay Tuned:

This is Part 1 of our conversation. In the next episode, we’ll dive deeper into resistance strategies, legal implications, and visions for digital environments that support—not exploit—young people.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.