Thousands of B.C. youth in care to receive government-funded iPhones
Thousands of youth across B.C. will be eligible to receive an Apple iPhone to provide them with better access to online resources and help keep them connected to friends and family.
The province announced it will be providing nearly 4,000 youth in government care with iPhones over the next two months as it rolls out the Phones4Youth program.
“Youth in care told us they don’t always have access to the essential technology they need to stay connected to school and key people in their lives, like friends, family members or mentors,” said Minister of Children and Family Development Mitzi Dean in a news release Thursday.
Dean added that access to a phone can also support youth in developing their self-esteem and sense of belonging while also enhancing their safety.
“As we continue to slowly emerge from the pandemic, having a phone can help to alleviate the feelings of loneliness and isolation for young people,” said Dean.
The program is a first of its kind in the province and the Telus smartphones will be distributed to every B.C. youth in care aged 13 or older.
“While cellphones provide a sense of safety and security, this program does more than just that. It helps bridge the divide between youth in care and most other teens,” said Taylor Maynard, a member of the provincial director of child welfare's youth advisory council.
“It allows youth in care to experience what most teens enjoy nowadays – texting, FaceTiming and connecting with friends. It provides a semblance of normalcy to these youth whose lives have been so different than most.”
It will be an ongoing program with additional iPhones being provided to any youth in care once they reach the age of eligibility, the province said.
The iPhones will have five gigabytes of data and come with a phone case, screen protector and charger.
“Youth in government care don’t always have access to many of the traditional supports their peers rely on,” said Pat Griffin, executive director of Victoria Youth Empowerment Society.
“Providing this technology will not only help level the playing field, but it gives them a better chance to participate in school, in day-to-day social life that is a central feature of teen development and identity, and in the job market as they get older. This type of support is absolutely necessary, as we increasingly depend on cellphones and apps for sharing information and accessing vital services.”
Youth will also receive support through Telus Wise, which is a free digital literacy program that aims to educate people on how to manage their smartphone in a safe and responsible way.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.