DIY Digital Safety
@diydigsafety.bsky.social
Digitally Informed Youth (DIY) is a Canadian research project empowering young people and providing resources against technology-facilitated sexual violence.
www.diydigitalsafety.ca
www.diydigitalsafety.ca
Pinned
Young people deserve tools and information that help them connect in safe, enjoyable, and empowering ways. DIY ("Digitally Informed Youth") is a five-year research project looking into technology-facilitated sexual violence. Stay tuned for updates! 📢
Our @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social shared fascinating facts about our research project on digital safety through The Impact Project by Western University. 💜 Check it out! www.theimpactproject.ca/stories/kait...
How to help kids navigate social media safely | The Impact Project
Join us as we uncover what it takes to make positive change in our world – featuring Kaitlynn Mendes, Principle Investigator, DIY: Digital Safety, Professor, Sociology, Western University.
www.theimpactproject.ca
November 17, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Our @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social shared fascinating facts about our research project on digital safety through The Impact Project by Western University. 💜 Check it out! www.theimpactproject.ca/stories/kait...
Our @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social discusses a new report showing the risk of harmful misogynistic content targeting boys. Check it out!
ontherecordnews.ca/new-report-s...
ontherecordnews.ca/new-report-s...
New Report Shows Risk of Harmful Misogynistic Content Targeting Boys - On The Record
The report from Canadian non-profit White Ribbon says educators are deeply worried about the trend
ontherecordnews.ca
October 20, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Our @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social discusses a new report showing the risk of harmful misogynistic content targeting boys. Check it out!
ontherecordnews.ca/new-report-s...
ontherecordnews.ca/new-report-s...
Reposted by DIY Digital Safety
Join us on Wednesday, October 22nd, as the AVA Webinar Series presents Technology Facilitated Sexual Violence: What You Need to Know, featuring Kaitlynn Mendes from @diydigsafety.bsky.social.
⏰ 12 – 1:30pm MST
avatraining.ca/webinars/
⏰ 12 – 1:30pm MST
avatraining.ca/webinars/
October 17, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Join us on Wednesday, October 22nd, as the AVA Webinar Series presents Technology Facilitated Sexual Violence: What You Need to Know, featuring Kaitlynn Mendes from @diydigsafety.bsky.social.
⏰ 12 – 1:30pm MST
avatraining.ca/webinars/
⏰ 12 – 1:30pm MST
avatraining.ca/webinars/
We are pleased to share our latest article on @theconversation.com, where we discuss the findings of our recently conducted survey with more than 1,000 teens aged 13 to 18 across Canada 🇨🇦 about tech-facilitated sexual violence.
More than a quarter of Canadian teens have experienced sexual violence online
A new survey reveals that almost a third of youth have been exposed to technology-facilitated sexual violence. Better protective and educational measures are needed.
theconversation.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:57 PM
We are pleased to share our latest article on @theconversation.com, where we discuss the findings of our recently conducted survey with more than 1,000 teens aged 13 to 18 across Canada 🇨🇦 about tech-facilitated sexual violence.
Can Instagram's new AI tool to detect underage users be really effective?? 🤔
Dr. @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social weighed in for The Canadian Press about the use of AI to detect underage users, as Instagram tests the tool in Canada.
📰 Check it out here: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/ins...
Dr. @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social weighed in for The Canadian Press about the use of AI to detect underage users, as Instagram tests the tool in Canada.
📰 Check it out here: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/ins...
Instagram using AI to detect Canadian teens signed up for adult accounts
Instagram is testing artificial intelligence in Canada that will identify accounts it suspects belong to teens, even if they list an adult birthday.
www.thecanadianpressnews.ca
September 22, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Can Instagram's new AI tool to detect underage users be really effective?? 🤔
Dr. @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social weighed in for The Canadian Press about the use of AI to detect underage users, as Instagram tests the tool in Canada.
📰 Check it out here: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/ins...
Dr. @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social weighed in for The Canadian Press about the use of AI to detect underage users, as Instagram tests the tool in Canada.
📰 Check it out here: www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/ins...
📌 Free Webinar Alert! 👩💻
Our @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social will lead a free webinar hosted by AVA Training about technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) and how to talk and support youth.
🗓️ October 22
🕐 12:00 - 1:30 PM MST
Register here: ucalgary.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Our @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social will lead a free webinar hosted by AVA Training about technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) and how to talk and support youth.
🗓️ October 22
🕐 12:00 - 1:30 PM MST
Register here: ucalgary.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
August 26, 2025 at 2:21 PM
📌 Free Webinar Alert! 👩💻
Our @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social will lead a free webinar hosted by AVA Training about technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) and how to talk and support youth.
🗓️ October 22
🕐 12:00 - 1:30 PM MST
Register here: ucalgary.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Our @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social will lead a free webinar hosted by AVA Training about technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) and how to talk and support youth.
🗓️ October 22
🕐 12:00 - 1:30 PM MST
Register here: ucalgary.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
📌 Open call!
The Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy at @mcgill.ca is accepting applications for Youth Fellows to join their 2025-2026 Youth Fellows Program on Online Safety.
👉 More info www.mediatechdemocracy.com/jobs
The Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy at @mcgill.ca is accepting applications for Youth Fellows to join their 2025-2026 Youth Fellows Program on Online Safety.
👉 More info www.mediatechdemocracy.com/jobs
Jobs — Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy
www.mediatechdemocracy.com
July 31, 2025 at 5:44 PM
📌 Open call!
The Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy at @mcgill.ca is accepting applications for Youth Fellows to join their 2025-2026 Youth Fellows Program on Online Safety.
👉 More info www.mediatechdemocracy.com/jobs
The Centre for Media, Technology, and Democracy at @mcgill.ca is accepting applications for Youth Fellows to join their 2025-2026 Youth Fellows Program on Online Safety.
👉 More info www.mediatechdemocracy.com/jobs
We've published our annual report, detailing our progress from May 2024 to April 2025. 📊
See our impact, key accomplishments, knowledge mobilization, research efforts, publications, and more!
Explore what we’ve been up to ⬇️🔗
694cb6a9-ba35-4397-994d-7418024a481c.usrfiles.com/ugd/7d39c0_9...
See our impact, key accomplishments, knowledge mobilization, research efforts, publications, and more!
Explore what we’ve been up to ⬇️🔗
694cb6a9-ba35-4397-994d-7418024a481c.usrfiles.com/ugd/7d39c0_9...
July 15, 2025 at 4:04 PM
We've published our annual report, detailing our progress from May 2024 to April 2025. 📊
See our impact, key accomplishments, knowledge mobilization, research efforts, publications, and more!
Explore what we’ve been up to ⬇️🔗
694cb6a9-ba35-4397-994d-7418024a481c.usrfiles.com/ugd/7d39c0_9...
See our impact, key accomplishments, knowledge mobilization, research efforts, publications, and more!
Explore what we’ve been up to ⬇️🔗
694cb6a9-ba35-4397-994d-7418024a481c.usrfiles.com/ugd/7d39c0_9...
✨ Publication alert ✨
We are excited to share our most recent publication in the Canadian Journal of Communication, which examines how Canadian secondary schools address TFSV within their educational curricula, policies, and legislation.
Check it out! 👇 cjc.utppublishing.com/doi/10.3138/...
We are excited to share our most recent publication in the Canadian Journal of Communication, which examines how Canadian secondary schools address TFSV within their educational curricula, policies, and legislation.
Check it out! 👇 cjc.utppublishing.com/doi/10.3138/...
Systems-Level Problems Require Systems-Level Responses: An Intersectional Analysis of Canadian Secondary Schools’ Responses to Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence | Canadian Journal of Communicatio...
Background: Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) is a significant problem for young people and is on the rise in Canada. Young people from marginalized groups are at greater risk of TFSV vict...
cjc.utppublishing.com
June 12, 2025 at 6:18 PM
✨ Publication alert ✨
We are excited to share our most recent publication in the Canadian Journal of Communication, which examines how Canadian secondary schools address TFSV within their educational curricula, policies, and legislation.
Check it out! 👇 cjc.utppublishing.com/doi/10.3138/...
We are excited to share our most recent publication in the Canadian Journal of Communication, which examines how Canadian secondary schools address TFSV within their educational curricula, policies, and legislation.
Check it out! 👇 cjc.utppublishing.com/doi/10.3138/...
A US teen died after being blackmailed with AI-generated nudes. His family is fighting for change via @cbsnews.com
www.cbsnews.com/news/sextort...
www.cbsnews.com/news/sextort...
A teen died after being blackmailed with A.I.-generated nudes. His family is fighting for change
Elijah Heacock's parents had never heard of sextortion before their son died by suicide. Now, they're fighting to protect other families.
www.cbsnews.com
June 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
A US teen died after being blackmailed with AI-generated nudes. His family is fighting for change via @cbsnews.com
www.cbsnews.com/news/sextort...
www.cbsnews.com/news/sextort...
📺 Dr. @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social was interviewed by the CBC regarding the sexual assault trial of five former world junior hockey players. She provides her insights on consent and technology-facilitated sexual violence.
Check it out!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Check it out!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
RECAP | NHL player testifies about group chat learning of investigation into world junior teammates | CBC
www.cbc.ca
May 1, 2025 at 1:40 PM
📺 Dr. @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social was interviewed by the CBC regarding the sexual assault trial of five former world junior hockey players. She provides her insights on consent and technology-facilitated sexual violence.
Check it out!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Check it out!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by DIY Digital Safety
ETOP Council attendees learned about tech-facilitated sexual violence — deepfake nudes, sextortion, and digital harassment— and the legal rights of victims.
Moving away from ‘cyberbullying’ language allows for people to seek the right help, said @WesternU sociology prof. Kaitlyn Mendes.
Moving away from ‘cyberbullying’ language allows for people to seek the right help, said @WesternU sociology prof. Kaitlyn Mendes.
April 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
ETOP Council attendees learned about tech-facilitated sexual violence — deepfake nudes, sextortion, and digital harassment— and the legal rights of victims.
Moving away from ‘cyberbullying’ language allows for people to seek the right help, said @WesternU sociology prof. Kaitlyn Mendes.
Moving away from ‘cyberbullying’ language allows for people to seek the right help, said @WesternU sociology prof. Kaitlyn Mendes.
On the news 📰 | From trauma to anxiety and depression, how online sexual harassment can seriously harm victims’ mental health via @theconversation.com theconversation.com/from-trauma-...
From trauma to anxiety and depression, how online sexual harassment can seriously harm victims’ mental health
Women who experience online sexual harassment report significantly poorer mental health, including anxiety, depression and low self-esteem.
theconversation.com
April 21, 2025 at 5:19 PM
On the news 📰 | From trauma to anxiety and depression, how online sexual harassment can seriously harm victims’ mental health via @theconversation.com theconversation.com/from-trauma-...
🗣️ Free Webinar on “Understanding Tech-Facilitated Sexual Violence.
Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes will discuss its rise and ways in which we can effectively identify and tackle this violence in our workplaces.
Date: April 1, at 7:00 pm EST.
Register here: bit.ly/42jNJfd
www.unifor.org/news/events/...
Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes will discuss its rise and ways in which we can effectively identify and tackle this violence in our workplaces.
Date: April 1, at 7:00 pm EST.
Register here: bit.ly/42jNJfd
www.unifor.org/news/events/...
Webinar on “Understanding Tech-Facilitated Gender Based Violence”
The Women’s Department is pleased to host a Webinar on “Understanding Tech-Facilitated Gender Based Violence”, presented by Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes, Associate Professor in Sociology at Western University.
www.unifor.org
March 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
🗣️ Free Webinar on “Understanding Tech-Facilitated Sexual Violence.
Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes will discuss its rise and ways in which we can effectively identify and tackle this violence in our workplaces.
Date: April 1, at 7:00 pm EST.
Register here: bit.ly/42jNJfd
www.unifor.org/news/events/...
Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes will discuss its rise and ways in which we can effectively identify and tackle this violence in our workplaces.
Date: April 1, at 7:00 pm EST.
Register here: bit.ly/42jNJfd
www.unifor.org/news/events/...
📰 Our @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social was quoted in a recent CBC article about a new anti-women trend on TikTok.
Give it a look! www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Give it a look! www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
18-year-old says she was secretly filmed in Ontario mall for viral TikTok video deemed as anti-woman | CBC News
An 18-year-old woman is speaking out after she says she was secretly filmed in a London, Ont., shopping mall. The exchange was posted to the social media feeds of a man whose viral videos seemingly ce...
www.cbc.ca
March 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM
📰 Our @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social was quoted in a recent CBC article about a new anti-women trend on TikTok.
Give it a look! www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Give it a look! www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
🤳TikTok investigated over use of children's data: The UK will inspect how the social media platform uses the data of 13 —to 17-year-olds to recommend further content to them.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
TikTok investigated by UK watchdog over use of children's data
It will look into how the social media platform uses the data of 13 to 17-year-olds to recommend content.
www.bbc.com
March 6, 2025 at 4:19 PM
🤳TikTok investigated over use of children's data: The UK will inspect how the social media platform uses the data of 13 —to 17-year-olds to recommend further content to them.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Dozens arrested in global hit against AI-generated child abuse
(via BBC News) www.bbc.com/news/article...
(via BBC News) www.bbc.com/news/article...
AI-generated child abuse global hit leads to dozens of arrests
At least 25 people were detained during a worldwide operation, Europol says.
www.bbc.com
March 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Dozens arrested in global hit against AI-generated child abuse
(via BBC News) www.bbc.com/news/article...
(via BBC News) www.bbc.com/news/article...
📌 If you live in Sarnia and are interested in learning more about tech-facilitated sexual violence, Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes will offer a workshop for The Centre Sarnia-Lambton.
Register here www.revelree.ca/event/ht-tra...
Register here www.revelree.ca/event/ht-tra...
February 13, 2025 at 6:05 PM
📌 If you live in Sarnia and are interested in learning more about tech-facilitated sexual violence, Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes will offer a workshop for The Centre Sarnia-Lambton.
Register here www.revelree.ca/event/ht-tra...
Register here www.revelree.ca/event/ht-tra...
L’Australie interdira les médias sociaux aux adolescents. Le Canada devrait-il faire de même ? 🤔
@cdietzel.bsky.social et @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social discutent des implications et des impacts de ces mesures dans cet article de @theconversationca.bsky.social
theconversation.com/laustralie-i...
@cdietzel.bsky.social et @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social discutent des implications et des impacts de ces mesures dans cet article de @theconversationca.bsky.social
theconversation.com/laustralie-i...
L’Australie interdira les médias sociaux aux adolescents. Le Canada devrait-il faire de même ?
Alors que la loi canadienne sur les préjudices en ligne est débattue, les députés pourraient se tourner vers d’autres pays, comme l’Australie, pour obtenir des conseils.
theconversation.com
February 10, 2025 at 2:55 PM
L’Australie interdira les médias sociaux aux adolescents. Le Canada devrait-il faire de même ? 🤔
@cdietzel.bsky.social et @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social discutent des implications et des impacts de ces mesures dans cet article de @theconversationca.bsky.social
theconversation.com/laustralie-i...
@cdietzel.bsky.social et @kaitlynnmendes.bsky.social discutent des implications et des impacts de ces mesures dans cet article de @theconversationca.bsky.social
theconversation.com/laustralie-i...
Faire face à des préjudices en ligne peut être accablant, mais vous n’êtes pas seul·e. Des ressources sont disponibles partout au Canada. 🇨🇦
👉 Découvrez la liste complète sur notre site web : www.diydigitalsafety.ca/fr/support-services
👉 Découvrez la liste complète sur notre site web : www.diydigitalsafety.ca/fr/support-services
February 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Faire face à des préjudices en ligne peut être accablant, mais vous n’êtes pas seul·e. Des ressources sont disponibles partout au Canada. 🇨🇦
👉 Découvrez la liste complète sur notre site web : www.diydigitalsafety.ca/fr/support-services
👉 Découvrez la liste complète sur notre site web : www.diydigitalsafety.ca/fr/support-services
@nytimes.com asked teens about banning children under 16 from social media, and they were very honest about how social media has affected them —both positively and negatively. They also discussed other ideas for helping young people navigate life online.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/l...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/l...
What Teens Are Saying About Barring Children Under 16 From Social Media
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2025 at 3:56 PM
@nytimes.com asked teens about banning children under 16 from social media, and they were very honest about how social media has affected them —both positively and negatively. They also discussed other ideas for helping young people navigate life online.
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/l...
www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/l...
Reposted by DIY Digital Safety
Come learn about youth's sexual safety online!
I'll be speaking about the @diydigsafety.bsky.social project's research on January 22nd at 7pm.
This event is open to the public.
To learn more about the project see: www.diydigitalsafety.ca
I'll be speaking about the @diydigsafety.bsky.social project's research on January 22nd at 7pm.
This event is open to the public.
To learn more about the project see: www.diydigitalsafety.ca
January 17, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Come learn about youth's sexual safety online!
I'll be speaking about the @diydigsafety.bsky.social project's research on January 22nd at 7pm.
This event is open to the public.
To learn more about the project see: www.diydigitalsafety.ca
I'll be speaking about the @diydigsafety.bsky.social project's research on January 22nd at 7pm.
This event is open to the public.
To learn more about the project see: www.diydigitalsafety.ca
Instagram Blocked Teens From Searching LGBTQ-Related Content for Months www.teenvogue.com/story/instag...
Instagram Blocked Teens From Searching LGBTQ-Related Content for Months
Posts with LGBTQ+ hashtags were hidden under Meta's “sensitive content” policy which restricts "sexually suggestive content."
www.teenvogue.com
January 12, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Instagram Blocked Teens From Searching LGBTQ-Related Content for Months www.teenvogue.com/story/instag...
Interested in exploring the unique challenges young people face in navigating their sexuality in the digital age?
On January 22 at @dalhousieu.bsky.social, Prof. Suzie Dunn will discuss some of our preliminary findings, including insights from interviews and surveys conducted with youth across 🇨🇦.
On January 22 at @dalhousieu.bsky.social, Prof. Suzie Dunn will discuss some of our preliminary findings, including insights from interviews and surveys conducted with youth across 🇨🇦.
January 9, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Interested in exploring the unique challenges young people face in navigating their sexuality in the digital age?
On January 22 at @dalhousieu.bsky.social, Prof. Suzie Dunn will discuss some of our preliminary findings, including insights from interviews and surveys conducted with youth across 🇨🇦.
On January 22 at @dalhousieu.bsky.social, Prof. Suzie Dunn will discuss some of our preliminary findings, including insights from interviews and surveys conducted with youth across 🇨🇦.
Australia is banning social media for teens. Should Canada do the same?
Our experts, Dr. Christopher Dietzel and Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes, discuss the implications and impact of these measures in this @theconversationca.bsky.social article.
theconversation.com/australia-is...
Our experts, Dr. Christopher Dietzel and Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes, discuss the implications and impact of these measures in this @theconversationca.bsky.social article.
theconversation.com/australia-is...
Australia is banning social media for teens. Should Canada do the same?
As Canada’s Online Harms Act is being debated, MPs may look to other countries, like Australia, for guidance on protecting youth from online harms.
theconversation.com
December 30, 2024 at 3:27 PM
Australia is banning social media for teens. Should Canada do the same?
Our experts, Dr. Christopher Dietzel and Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes, discuss the implications and impact of these measures in this @theconversationca.bsky.social article.
theconversation.com/australia-is...
Our experts, Dr. Christopher Dietzel and Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes, discuss the implications and impact of these measures in this @theconversationca.bsky.social article.
theconversation.com/australia-is...