A vibrant gathering unfolded on Parliament Hill on Monday as parents and young people united to urge the federal government to prioritise the reintroduction of the online harms bill, now focused on safeguarding children from digital predators. Organised by Children First Canada, a national charity dedicated to children’s rights, the rally called for a rebranding of the proposed legislation from the Online Harms Act to the Online Safety Act. This change aims to clarify the bill’s purpose and garner broader support among Members of Parliament.
A Call for Legislative Renewal
The previous incarnation of the bill, designated as Bill C-63, was shelved when Parliament was prorogued in January 2025. Sara Austin, the founder and CEO of Children First Canada, articulated the need for a renewed focus on child protection. “We want to call it the Online Safety Act to focus on the end goal and really unite all members of Parliament around the shared objective of protecting our children,” she declared.
Austin further emphasised that any future legislation must incorporate a duty of care for digital platforms, obligating them to prevent foreseeable harms to minors. She advocated for the establishment of an independent regulatory body endowed with enforcement powers, extending safety measures across all digital realms, including social media, gaming, and AI.
Statistics Highlight Urgent Need for Action
Statistics underscore the urgency of the situation. Reports from Statistics Canada indicate a staggering increase of nearly 20 per cent in child luring incidents via computers, with instances rising from 2,882 in 2024 to 3,456 in 2025. Such alarming figures highlight the pressing need for robust legislative action.
Diya Praveen, a 16-year-old student who participated in the rally, shared her personal experiences of encountering dangerous online environments. Reflecting on her past, she recounted, “I had unknowingly joined some group chats that promoted self-harm and hate speech. A lot of young people fall into these traps without understanding the potential dangers.” Her sentiments resonated with many attendees, who wore matching purple shirts emblazoned with the rallying cry: “Don’t delay. Protect kids today.”
Government Response and Advocacy
The rally not only served as a platform for advocacy but also provided an opportunity for attendees to engage directly with government representatives. Participants were scheduled to meet with staff from Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office and Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Marc Miller. A spokesperson for the minister, Hermine Landry, stated, “The government intends to act swiftly to better protect Canadians. We all want our children to be safe as they navigate the digital world, and platforms have an important role to play in meeting that challenge.”
However, the sentiments expressed by rally participants reflected a palpable frustration with the perceived inertia of legislative processes. Carol Todd, mother of Amanda Todd, a teenager who tragically took her life in 2012 following relentless cyberbullying, voiced her exasperation. “Amanda was a child. She should have been protected. Instead, she was exploited, harassed, and pushed to a breaking point in a digital world that failed her,” she lamented.
Jason Sokolowski, a father from British Columbia who also attended the rally, shared a harrowing account of his daughter, Penelope, who was groomed and extorted online before her untimely death. “It’s a scary feeling to have your child cry out for help and not understand what they need help with,” he said, echoing the frustrations of many parents grappling with the rapid evolution of digital threats.
The Provincial Perspective
The urgency of the matter is further compounded by initiatives at the provincial level. Manitoba is poised to become the first province to implement a ban on youth access to social media and AI chatbots, signalling a growing recognition of the need for protective measures. At the federal level, there is also a movement towards restricting digital access for younger users.
Austin raised a critical point regarding potential delays caused by age verification measures. She cautioned that while age restrictions are necessary, they should not impede the swift progress of protective legislation. “Kids are experiencing harm on all platforms,” she insisted, advocating for comprehensive measures that encompass not only social media but also gaming platforms and AI chatbots.
Why it Matters
The rally at Parliament Hill underscores a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding digital safety for children. As the dangers of online predation and cyberbullying become increasingly evident, the call for decisive legislative action grows louder. The collective voices of parents, children, and advocates signal a crucial demand for the government to prioritise the protection of its most vulnerable citizens within the digital landscape. As the stakes remain high, the necessity for a robust, unified response to online harms is clearer than ever, highlighting the urgent need for a legislative framework that not only addresses current challenges but also anticipates future risks in an ever-evolving digital world.
