VIU Computer Science Professor Dr. Ajay Shrestha is researching how young people interact with smart technology. Photo: Vancouver Island University
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is supporting Dr. Ajay Shrestha’s research into how young people interact with smart devices.
Smart technology is second nature to today’s youth. One Vancouver Island University (VIU) researcher is making sure it doesn’t come with hidden risks.
Computer Science Professor Dr. Ajay Shrestha is researching how young people interact with devices like gaming consoles, wearable fitness trackers, online learning platforms and virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa. His goal is to create strategies to better protect their privacy while using smart technology.
“These devices can make life easier and more fun,” said Shrestha. “But they also collect a lot of personal information – sometimes without the user even knowing.”
Shrestha received $80,000 from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada to complete the research. The project will also look at how youth feel about their privacy, what they know about how devices work and how they can be better supported to make informed choices. Shrestha hopes to influence how smart devices are designed in the future.
“Young Canadians are often the first to try out new technologies, but they’re also among the most vulnerable,” he said. “They may not fully understand what they’re agreeing to when they click ‘I accept,’ or how their data is being used.”
The research will help Shrestha’s team develop a toolkit for tech companies, teachers, policy makers and caregivers.
“Our toolkit will be shaped by youth themselves,” he said. “We want it to reflect the real concerns and ideas young people have about privacy. This way, technology can be designed in a way that puts their needs first.”
The project team will also develop workshops, webinars and an interactive website to help students, families and educators learn more about digital privacy and how to stay safe online.
“The goal is to help young Canadians better understand and take control of their privacy,” said Shrestha. “We also want to support more ethical and inclusive technology design that respects the rights of young users."
Shrestha recently wrapped up another research project with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada that examined youth perspectives on privacy within AI systems.
As part of this work, he was invited to speak on the youth privacy panel, Exploring the Impacts of AI on Youth,at the 2025 Privacy Symposium in Ottawa, hosted by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. The symposium took place alongside the G7 Data Protection Authorities Roundtable and brought together thought leaders, policymakers, regulators and practitioners from across Canada and around the world to share insights and best practices.
“One big takeaway for me was how smart and aware young people are about privacy,” he said. “We need to listen to their voices more when we build and regulate AI systems.”
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Eric Zimmer, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University
P: 250.618.7296 | E: Eric.Zimmer@viu.ca |W: news.viu.ca
The VIU community acknowledges and thanks the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Tla’amin, Snaw-naw-as and Qualicum First Nation on whose traditional lands we teach, learn, research, live and share knowledge.
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