Summary of the 2025 Privacy Symposium – Youth privacy in a digital age

Prioritizing privacy helps to support and fuel innovation. Privacy Commissioner of Canada Philippe Dufresne hosted an international symposium on “Youth privacy in a digital age” on June 20, 2025. The symposium explored key issues related to the protection of children’s privacy, now and into the future.

Opening remarks – Philippe Dufresne, Privacy Commissioner of Canada

Panel 1 – Youth’s experiences and needs regarding data privacy

Moderator: Privacy Commissioner of Canada Philippe Dufresne

Youth panelists: Roman Wolfi, Member of Young Canadians’ Parliament; Josephine Maharaj, Member of Young Canadians’ Parliament; Aany Vital Ramos, Member of the RCMP Youth Advisory Committee; and Misha Sharma, Member of the RCMP Youth Advisory Committee.

A highlight of the day, the youth panelists shared reflections on how privacy affects their daily lives, emphasizing that it is not just a technical issue, but also one of rights and fairness. They expressed a desire for more transparency and clearer explanations about how their personal information is collected and used. Many noted that it can be difficult to understand privacy settings and policies, especially when written in complex language. Concerns were raised about online surveillance and social media’s influence, including how companies can shape what youth see and feel, and how it impacts mental health and autonomy.

Panelists also discussed the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, emphasizing the need for balance between innovation and maintaining human connection. They highlighted the importance of digital literacy and privacy education as core skills and called for more youth involvement in the design of policies and technologies that affect them. Overall, they expressed optimism about being part of the conversation and encouraged governments and organizations to continue listening to youth voices.

Panel 2 – Exploring the impacts of AI on youth

Moderator: Joanna Redden, University of Western Ontario

Panelists: Ajay Shrestha, Vancouver Island University; Sara Grimes, McGill University; and Val Iannitti, Actua

Speakers explored how AI can amplify risks for youth, including biased algorithms, disinformation, and the erosion of autonomy. Panelists shared research indicating that youth often feel powerless over how their data is used, while being overconfident in their understanding of AI systems. AI systems, built on incomplete or problematic data, frequently misrepresent youth and reinforce narrow stereotypes.

Educators and policymakers were urged to empower youth by centering their voices in solution design, tailoring interventions to developmental vulnerabilities, and embedding privacy and AI literacy into education. While AI has benefits—such as supporting inclusive learning—panelists called for solutions that are collaborative, supportive, and rights-based. Panelists also called for child-rights-based design, better privacy defaults, and resisting overreliance on parental controls or exclusionary design.

Panel 3 – Early reflections from G7 Data Protection and Privacy Authorities

Moderator: Privacy Commissioner of Canada Philippe Dufresne.

Panelists: John Edwards, UK Information Commissioner; Anu Talus, president, European Data Protection Board

This session explored the importance of cross-regulatory collaboration in addressing deceptive design patterns and age-appropriate digital experiences. Speakers noted the emergence of age-appropriate design codes and the growing practice and importance of highlighting good industry examples. The need to involve youth in the co-design of privacy-protective systems was emphasized. European regulators discussed their actions to align guidance across sectors. The discussion reflected a shared commitment across G7 data protection authorities to prioritize the protection of children’s rights online.

Panel 4 – Taking privacy to school: EdTech and children’s privacy

Moderator: Marie-Ève Nadeau, 5 Rights Foundation

Panelists: Caroline Isautier, Tech for Good Canada; Linette Attai, Consortium for School Networking (CoSN); Amanda Comeau, Government of New Brunswick, Education and Early Childhood Development

This session explored how digital tools are increasingly used in classrooms to support learning, collaboration, and accessibility. While many educators are turning to these tools to fill important gaps, privacy considerations are not always top of mind given the various responsibilities that teachers face. Participants noted that teachers often assume that tools are safe and in students’ best interests, even when privacy protections may vary. The discussion emphasized the importance of helping educators better understand how data is collected and shared, and the need for clear guidelines and training. Panelists discussed the lack of clear vetting processes and blurred lines with third-party data access, noting ransomware risks and unclear data retention policies.

When used thoughtfully, EdTech can enhance learning and reduce barriers, especially for students with different needs. Participants highlighted the value of engaging students and parents in conversations about privacy and ensuring that tools meet legal and ethical standards. The session closed with a call for collaboration across schools, ministries, data protection authorities and industry to support responsible and student-centered use of technology in education.

Panel 5 – The “best interests of the child” and children’s privacy

Moderator: Valerie Steeves, University of Ottawa Centre for Law, Technology and Society.

Panelists: Dominique Kelly, Faculty of Information and Media Studies at Western University; Shanna Pearce, Epic Games; Emily Laidlaw, University of Alberta

This session examined how a child rights-based approach can guide digital policy and design. Panelists called on organizations to approach children as rights holders, not as consumers. Researchers shared research results indicating a shift from youth feeling empowered online to feeling surveilled and judged, leading to disengagement or overreliance on passive content. A panelist shared research on deceptive design patterns and noted how these tactics can have a significant impact on young people.

Speakers highlighted the importance of moving beyond just protection to also include provision and participation – ensuring that young people have safe spaces online and a voice in shaping their digital environment. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all tools like age gating or strict parental controls, speakers emphasized the need for nuanced, flexible approaches that support agency and development. One panelist shared a customizable child account model where parental consent and youth agency coexist. The session underscored that youth deserve privacy by design and genuine involvement in shaping their online environments.

Panel 6 – Reflections from G7 Data Protection Authorities: Youth Privacy in the Digital Age

Moderator: Privacy Commissioner of Canada Philippe Dufresne

Panelists: Satoru Tekuza, Chairperson for Japan’s Personal Information Protection Commission; Guido Scorza, Commissioner, Italy’s Garante per la protezione dei dati personali; Bertrand du Marais, Commissioner, France’s Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés; and Andreas Hartl, Deputy Commissioner, Germany’s Office of the Federal Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information

G7 data protection and privacy authorities discussed ways to create a more sustainable and rights-respecting digital environment for children. They emphasized a risk-based, proportional approach to regulation that balances innovation while respecting the best interests of the child.

Key themes included the importance of cross-regulatory cooperation among international regulators, more support for privacy-respecting EdTech development, highlighting good corporate practices, and the importance of teaching young people how technology works, not just how to use it. Panelists highlighted important privacy principles such as data minimization and deletion and highlighted that privacy enhancing technologies can be part of the solution. Regulators were encouraged to foster environments that allow children to grow, explore, and make mistakes without disproportionate surveillance or harm.