10/20/2026
Recent CAMH data shows that virtually all Ontario students use social media every day, with one in four spending 5+ hours on it daily.
While these platforms can create important opportunities for connection, research also points to negative mental health outcomes caused by increased social comparison, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content.
As encouraging conversations about protecting children online continue across Canada with the introduction of Bill C-34 and the proposed Safe Social Media Act, we also need to recognize that young people do not experience these spaces equally.
For youth with learning disabilities (LDs) who may struggle with in-person socialization, social media can be a barrier-free tool to reduce isolation and build meaningful peer connections.
However, this can also lead to an over-reliance on these platforms, where increased exposure to online pressures can add another layer to the existing feelings of frustration, anxiety, low self-esteem and isolation they may already be navigating.
Without access to timely supports, these challenges can compound and become more complex — leading to disengagement and significant behavioural difficulties.
That’s why prevention and early intervention matter this school year.
To support the mental health of students with LDs, we must proactively equip them with the skills and confidence they need to navigate challenges before they escalate.
At CDI, our specialized counselling services recognize the connection between LDs and mental health. Using a strength-based approach, our clinicians work with children and youth to tailor supports to their unique learning style and needs in the context of their broader environments.
As we recognize Learning Disabilities Awareness Month this October, your support can help CDI continue to reach children and youth earlier — giving them tools that will shape how they learn, connect, and thrive for years to come.
Support children and youth today: https://childdevelop.ca/impact/donate/donate-now/
