11th Annual
Canada School of Public Service (CSPS)
National Student Paper Competition
2023-2024
Rajender Singh, PhD Candidate, Faculty of Education,
Western University
Paper: Hooked Online: A Call for Canadian Leadership in Addressing Internet Addiction
This policy paper argues that popular internet platforms driven by the attention economy employ addictive design practices that contribute to a silent pandemic of mass behaviour addiction in our populations. Drawing on psychological and neurological research, it highlights the societal ramifications of internet addiction, particularly on mental health and well-being. The paper proposes a three-dimensional policy approach for the Canadian government to address this issue, including the recognition of internet addiction as a clinical disorder, regulatory measures to hold internet companies accountable for addictive design, and global leadership in coordinating efforts to mitigate internet addiction on an international scale.
Rajender Singh is a PhD candidate at Western University. He conducts policy research at the intersection of technology, society, and the market. Specifically, his research investigates the novel strategies employed by Big Tech companies to enter and dominate the global education market while positioning themselves as neutral and altruistic players. His other research involvements include studying the policy responses of U-15 Canadian universities during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing internet data and digital methods for social and educational research, and examining pedagogic practices in neurodiverse settings to formulate recommendations that transform educational practice.
Overview
The National Student Paper Competition (NSPC) was launched in 2013 with the aim of:
- Introducing innovative ideas and bright new thinkers to the Canadian public service
- Enhancing public service excellence and encouraging high performance
The NSPC offers a unique opportunity for talented graduate students to connect with senior public servants, expand their networks, nurture their leadership skills, and foster employment opportunities with the federal public service.
The NSPC is an annual competition organized by the Canada School of Public Service in partnership with the Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration and the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. The competition is also supported by various Canadian higher-education institutions and associations, including CAGS.
Outcomes and benefits of the competition
- A strong partnership between the federal public service, universities and higher-education associations that encourages graduate students to apply academic knowledge and skills to inform Canadian public policy and the Public Service of Canada.
- An increased number of promising graduate students in different fields of expertise across Canadian universities working with the federal public service and contributing with innovative, research-based ideas to enhance the lives of all Canadians.
- A talented, diverse, inclusive and modern workforce equipped with the skills needed to embrace new workplace challenges, design services, mobilize knowledge, and respond to the country’s evolving needs.
Learn about previous winners here.
