Over the past decades, Canadian producers and broadcasters have developed unique know-how and expertise when it comes to creating and broadcasting quality children’s programming. This quality is apparent not only in the production values invested in youth content, but also in a profound respect for young viewers and their right to high-calibre television productions. Promoting the highest standards in Canadian youth production has always been a key part of our mission at Youth Media Alliance, a commitment enshrined in our Quality Charter.
With the proliferation of digital technologies, we felt it was just as important to adopt these same high standards for the new media sector. From virtual communities, personal data and privacy, to social networks, online advertising and user-generated content, new forms of communication are now part of children’s daily lives. But there are also new rules and regulations that must be followed if we want to guarantee the same level of quality and excellence in our offering to young audiences.
This Digital Toolkit is therefore a valuable resource that will help guide you through the various content and platform types, providing advice and references on the current state of the regulatory landscape both in Canada and abroad (the United States, the European Union, France and Australia). It also underscores specific legislation like the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act or Québec’s Consumer Protection Act that may have a broader scope in certain contexts. We are also committed to updating the kit regularly to keep pace with the changing digital media and content environment. Developed jointly with industry-leading youth content producers and broadcasters, this kit complements YMA’s Quality Charter, which now covers digital media and new distribution platforms.
We hope it serves you well!
Guillaume Aniorté,
VP / Strategic Development & Acquisitions
Frima
For over 25 years, Université de Montréal’s Center for Youth and Media Studies (CYMS) has worked to better understand and harness the potential of conventional media and digital environments for young people at home and abroad. Throughout these years, we’ve enjoyed a highly productive relationship with Youth Media Alliance, conducting innovative research that has not only yielded valuable scientific insights, but has also translated into practical applications in the professional market.
This new “Digital Toolkit” is yet another shining example of what the creative, production and scientific research sectors can accomplish by working together.
André H. Caron,
CYMS Director
Université de Montréal
Ever since this project got under way, everything has moved very quickly.
If we hadn’t all shared the same vision and commitment, The Digital Toolkit wouldn’t even be a shadow of what it is today. Your unwavering cooperation, enthusiasm and support were critical to its success. We’re grateful to the Ontario Media Development Corporation, the Bell Fund, the Canada Media Fund, and the Canadian Media Production Association.
Youth Media Alliance would also like to highlight the outstanding contribution of Guillaume Aniorté and the team of producers and broadcasters who shared their insights during the project’s planning and drafting phases.
Thank you as well to our web and legal partners, mbiance and Bereskin & Parr, for their valuable assistance.
Lastly, special thanks go to André Caron, Director of Université de Montréal’s Center for Youth and Media Studies, who found the ideal person to help us with a project of this magnitude – Sabrina Dubé-Morneau.
Kudos, Sabrina! Your enthusiasm, good humour and thoroughness in developing The Digital Toolkit were appreciated by all.
Allow me to express my deepest gratitude and warmest regards to everyone who made this project a reality.
Chantal Bowen,
Executive Director,
Youth Media Alliance
Credits :
Researcher & Author: Sabrina Dubé-Morneau
Translator: Lesley McCubbin
Contributors: Guillaume Aniorté, Christiane Asselin, Judith Beauregard, Chloé Benaroya, Chantal Bowen, Geneviève Brault, André H. Caron, Amy Dam, Sophie Dufort, Caroline Julien, François Larose, Jean-Phillipe Marin, Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos.
Thank you to CBC/Radio-Canada’s Linguistic Services Department, Nathalie Jackson from Quebec’s Office de la protection du consommateur, TVO’s Jessica McLaughlin, and Myriam Amzallag from Université de Montréal’s Center for Youth and Media Studies.
