The inaugural #DigitalSafety Poetry Slam 2026 was nothing short of extraordinary. What began as an opportunity for students to reflect on digital citizenship became a powerful celebration of youth voice, creativity, courage, and leadership.
Through a year-long partnership with spoken word artist and TDSB partner, Dwayne Morgan, more than 1,500 students from 50 TDSB schools engaged in learning that strengthened digital safety awareness while fostering critical thinking, self-expression, and student voice. Students examined the opportunities and challenges of digital engagement and reflected on how online spaces influence identity, relationships, belonging, confidence, and well-being. This learning culminated in the inaugural #DigitalSafety Poetry Slam 2026, where students transformed their insights into compelling spoken word performances. Through authentic and courageous storytelling, they explored the realities of navigating the digital world, highlighting both its possibilities and its risks. Their poetry served as a powerful reminder that digital safety is not simply about technology, it is about empathy, connection, responsibility, and creating spaces where everyone can thrive.
We were honoured to welcome the11 finalist schools, represented by 22 semi-finalists (two students from each school), whose talent, insight, and authenticity left a lasting impression on everyone in attendance:
- Sir Alexander Mackenzie Senior Public School
- Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School
- Tredway Woodsworth Public School
- John Ross Robertson Junior Public School
- Alexander Stirling Public School
- Tom Longboat Junior Public School
- Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School
- Valley Park Middle School
- Deer Park Junior and Senior Public School
- Humber Summit Middle School
- West Humber Collegiate Institute
Each performance was a testament to the brilliance of our students. They spoke candidly about the opportunities and challenges that exist online, sharing stories that were thoughtful, moving, courageous, and deeply personal. Their words challenged us to think differently, to listen more carefully, and to better understand the realities young people navigate every day.
A special congratulations to our finalists and award recipients:
- 1st Place: Pravathy Vijay Nair – Tredway Woodsworth Public School
- 2nd Place: Akshaya Tharmalingam – Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School
- 3rd Place: Rima Almohamad – Sir Ernest MacMillan Senior Public School
We are also grateful to all semi-finalists whose voices enriched the day and demonstrated the power of storytelling as a tool for learning, healing, advocacy, and change. Most importantly, this event reminded us that when we create spaces for students to lead, they do far more than participate, they teach us. Their reflections offered wisdom, honesty, humour, caution, and hope. They showed us that digital safety is not merely a conversation about risk; it is a conversation about identity, community, belonging, and the kind of digital world we want to build together.
With deep gratitude to the students, educators, families, community partners, judges, and supporters who helped bring this inaugural event to life, we celebrate the remarkable leadership of our young people and look forward to continuing this important work together for years to come.
Student voice matters. Student leadership matters. And on this day, our students showed us exactly why.
