Social media platforms agree to call for better safety

Social media companies have agreed to work with the provincial government and do better at protecting British Columbians.

“Helping young people stay safe online is one of the most important challenges facing parents, governments and technology companies today,” reads a joint statement from
the province along with Meta, Google, TikTok, Snap, and X. “This historic collaboration between government and industry pioneers aims to raise the bar for youth safety online.”

Issues discussed include online sexual exploitation and sharing private images without permission. The platforms agreed to work together to fight criminals who target victims across different apps.

BC’s Intimate Images Protection Act will be more effective with formal cooperation from social media companies at the table.

“The companies have agreed to provide BC with direct escalation channels that will allow them to quickly report non-consensual intimate images prior to the issuance of an intimate image protection order, and that when an order is issued that it is expedited and actioned swiftly,” the media release said.

The table is also looking at helping get word out to the public during crisis situations, such as wildfires or other climate emergencies.

“Meta, Snap, TikTok and X have offered to provide the Province and additional crisis response organizations with advertising support to amplify awareness of safety resources throughout the wildfire season” the statement said. “The table is committed to continued engagement leading to further concrete actions to be announced in September.”

Our Place aims to house Pandora campers by January

The CEO of Our Place Society announced yesterday that he hopes to find homes by the end of the year for people living on the street in the 900-block of Pandora Ave.

“It distresses me to see so many displaced people,” Our Place CEO Julian Daly said in a media release. “No one should be consigned to living on the pavement in our city. It’s a crying shame. All people deserve so much better.”

Our Place, located in the middle of the Pandora encampments, recently surveyed people living on the street. Not surprisingly, all of them hoped for a better life.

“Each person told us they wanted housing, and what supports they needed to be successful once housed,” Daly said, noting the survey showed people need help with addiction and mental health as much as they do with housing.

“There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” Daly says. “Instead, we have to tailor our supports to the individual.”

Some of the highlights of the survey were:

0% said they wanted to remain living on the streets
15% have struggled with homelessness for over 10 years
23% of individuals living on the block are female
23% of individuals are over the age of 50
39% of people are currently interested in accessing treatment programs
80% have been homeless for more than 1 year
85% have untreated physical health conditions
95% are currently struggling with their mental health.

“Our Place is one of the charities that is actively trying to help,” Daly said. “We did not create or enable the situation on Pandora, and we, as much as anyone, want to find a solution to it. In fact, our aim is to secure housing for everyone currently camping on Pandora before the end of the year.”