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Announcements

Event Announcement: Parenting in a Digital World – Online Safety Discussions Shouldn't Be Scary

Join us for an insightful session on Parenting in a Digital World, hosted by Snapchat, where we’ll discuss how to navigate online safety without fear.

We are excited to have Dr. Jennifer Laffier, director of the Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab, as one of the panelists. Dr. Laffier will share her expertise on fostering healthy digital habits and navigating the challenges of online safety with children.

This event is perfect for parents looking to build confidence in having open and proactive conversations with their children about online safety. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to empower yourself and protect your family in the digital age.

🗓 Date: Tue, Oct 22, 2024
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM EDT
📍 Location: 155 Queens Quay East Toronto,
🎟 Registration: Click here to sign up!

New Partnership Alert: We're excited to announce our new research partnership with Ad Astra Research Institute!

The Ad Astra Research Institute is focused on understanding the challenges that students face during their transition from one stage of education to another, and identifying the most effective ways to support them. They work closely with schools, educators, and community organizations to develop programs that are tailored to the needs of each individual student, and are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people.

We are excited for this new partnership and collaborations with the Ad Astra Research Institute and Director Dr. Radhi H. Al-Mabuk, a professor of education in the Department of Educational Psychology & Foundations at the University of Northern Iowa.

Snap Inc.'s "Parenting in a Digital World – Online Safety Discussions Shouldn't Be Scary" Event Recap

This week in Toronto, we brought together influential voices in online safety, parenting, mental health, and psychology for a conversation about how parents and caregivers can effectively navigate conversations with teens about online and digital wellbeing.

The conversation was moderated by Canadian television personality and host of 'The Health Tech-Up,' Lisa Chang, and panelists included Snap’s Global Head of Platform Safety, Jacqueline Beauchere, President and CEO of Kids Help Phone, Katherine (Kathy) Hay ICD.D, and Dr. Jennifer Laffier, PhD, Licensed Psychotherapist and Director of the Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab.

Let's keep the conversation going!

4th Annual Mental Health in the Digital Age Conference

Join us for the 4th Annual Mental Health in the Digital Age Conference! We are excited to explore topics on technology and well-being across the lifespan and share current research and recommendations through our interactive sessions. It is going to be a great night of learning and conversation - and it’s only 19 days away!

🗓️ Monday, November 25
⏰ 7-9 PM (EST)
📍 Virtual

🔗 Click here to reserve your spot!

👀 Keynote speaker and conference program guide coming soon!

MHDA Conference 2024 - Social Media Save the Date.png

Research Recognition: Shaping AI Policy

We are proud to share that our study, “Deepfakes and Harm to Women” by Dr. Jennifer Laffier and Aalyia Rehman (2023), has been officially cited in UK and Australian Parliamentary discussions and AI policy reports.

Governmental and Policy Recognition:

UK Parliament: Referenced in the "Policy implications of artificial intelligence (AI)" briefing, discussing the societal harms of deepfake technology.
- 🔗 Read the briefing
Australian Parliament: Cited in the "Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) Bill 2024," underscoring the legal challenges of non-consensual deepfake content.
- 🔗 Read the bill
UK International AI Safety Report (2025): Referenced in the UK government's AI policy report, highlighting the societal impacts of deepfake technology on women.
- 🔗 Read the AI Safety Report

These citations demonstrate the real-world impact of our research, influencing legislative and policy discussions on AI, digital safety, and the protection of individuals from deepfake-related harms.

📖 Read the full study here: https://ojs.scholarsportal.info/ontariotechu/index.php/dll/article/view/218/144

Join Us for Our Upcoming Event: An Expert Discussion Panel Exploring Netflix's New Limited Series Adolescence

We are excited to announce a FREE upcoming event we will be hosting through the Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab this May!

We will be hosting an Expert Discussion Panel with mental health professionals, educators, and researchers to explore Netflix's new limited series "Adolescence." Parents, educators, and community members are invited to join us for an in-depth exploration of Stephen Graham's trending series. Our panel will discuss themes from the series, including child and youth mental health, the role of technology, and how we can support our youth to navigate the digital age safely.

The event will take place in-person at Ontario Tech University on Wednesday, May 7, from 7-9 PM (EST) (details will be provided to attendees) and online via Zoom on Wednesday, May 14, from 7-8:30 PM (EST).

Call for Participants: Participate in a research study on trauma-informed care and digital wellness in post-secondary institutions!

Your voice matters! You are invited to participate in a research study that explores how wellness approaches, such as digital wellness and trauma-informed care, can support student success in post-secondary institutions. This study aims to understand the perspectives and experiences of students and faculty regarding mental health, technology use, and learning in higher education. The findings will inform recommendations for teaching strategies and mental health interventions in higher education settings. This information will help create student and faculty resources.

Participation in this study involves completing an online survey. The online survey will be used to gather information on attitudes, beliefs, behaviours, and knowledge related to digital wellness and trauma-informed practices. The survey will take approximately 45-60 minutes to complete.

Click here to learn more about the study!

Lab Mission

How does technology
influence human development & well-being?

The Mental Health in the Digital Age Lab is a research hub that explores how technology impacts human development and well-being across the lifespan.

Research and community-based projects focus on research to practice ideas for optimum well-being and learning. The lab is a collaboration of work from Faculty and graduate students in the Mental Health in the Digital Age course.

Lab Goals

It is the lab's mission to support individuals and communities by conducting research and outreach work in the following areas:

Individual and Collective Mental Health

Technology's role in
human development and well-being

Digital Wellness and Digital Self-Intelligence

Socio-Emotional Learning and Emotional Intelligence

Positive Psychology, Authentic Happiness, Thriving, and Flourishing

The intersection of learning and mental health

Psycho-education in schools, workplaces, and communities

Need Mental Health Support?

PocketWell App

One in 5 Canadians experience a mental illness or addiction problem - and nearly half of Canadians reported that their mental health worsened during the pandemic.

The PocketWell app, linked to the Wellness Together Canada (WTC) portal, offers new resources, including a self-assessment tool, mood tracker, and access to free, confidential sessions with mental health professionals. Call 1-866-585-0445, visit wellnesstogether.ca, or download PocketWell today.