Ontario schools have an essential role in preparing young people to be safe and responsible digital citizens and empowering them to exercise their privacy and access rights.
The emergence of the internet, smartphones, cloud-based platforms, social media, and artificial intelligence have created many new risks in the digital landscape.
Recognizing this, the IPC has developed a draft Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools in consultation with educators, educational institutions, and youth and parent advocates.
They are intended to support students in the digital environment by:
promoting strong privacy protections in digital education tools and services used by schools
encouraging ongoing learning about privacy in the digital environment
empowering students to understand and exercise their privacy and access rights
While the charter commitments are voluntary, by officially agreeing to adopt the digital privacy charter, school boards across Ontario will demonstrate a strong, province-wide promise to protect our students’ digital privacy, support accountability and transparency, and strengthen trust in Ontario’s schools.
We welcome you to provide your feedback on the draft Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools by completing our survey. The public consultation period ends on Monday, April 22, 2024, so please be sure to complete your survey before the deadline!
Do you have questions about the charter? Are you a school board official who would like to be an early adopter of the charter at your school? Contact us at [email protected].
What is the draft Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools?
The draft Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools outlines 12 voluntary commitments Ontario schools can adopt to enhance support for young people in the digital environment by:
promoting strong privacy protections in digital education tools and services used by schools
encouraging ongoing learning about privacy in the digital environment
empowering students to understand and exercise their privacy and access rights
Don’t privacy laws already protect children and youth and hold educational institutions accountable?
Yes, privacy laws are in place in Ontario to protect children and youth and hold educational institutions accountable and the draft digital privacy charter is consistent with those laws and represents current and emerging best practices.
Who can adopt the digital charter and its commitments?
The charter and its commitments are intended primarily for Ontario schools and school boards, but can be adopted by any institution or organization that collects, uses, and discloses the personal information of children and youth.
The collective voice of parents, teachers, and school board officials can powerfully shape policies and practices within Ontario’s schools. Expressing support for the digital privacy charter by communicating with local school board trustees, directors of education, supervisors, and principals ensures that the digital safety of our children and youth is at the forefront of educational strategies and policies.
Parents and guardians:
Your voice is vital! Start a conversation with your child’s teachers and school administrators about the importance of digital privacy to help create momentum for the charter. Engage in school meetings, discuss with other parents, and communicate your support for the charter.
Educators:
Advocate for the adoption of the charter at your school. Use it as a guideline for digital activities in the classroom. Connect with us for further insights on how to implement the charter and raise awareness about digital privacy among your students and colleagues.
School board officials:
Bring the charter for serious consideration at board meetings and policy review sessions. Analyzing and adopting the charter’s commitments could set a strong framework for digital privacy across your school board. Your endorsement and application of the charter can create a secure digital environment for students.
We want your feedback! Please send your questions and comments to [email protected]. The public consultation period ends on Monday, April 22, 2024.
The IPC oversees the province’s access and privacy laws, ensuring that public institutions, health care providers, and child service providers comply with the law regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information while maintaining its privacy and security. The IPC handles a variety of responsibilities including resolving access to information appeals and investigating privacy complaints.
