The Countdown for Kids is a national moment for online safety to protect Canada’s children in the digital world.
On August 29, 2021, the Liberal Party of Canada released its federal election platform, committing to protect children from online harms.
That commitment marked the moment solutions were publicly acknowledged. What followed was delay.
The countdown clock is a reminder of how long children have been waiting for meaningful federal action, from the day the government pledged to act, to today. Every day on this timer represents time lost, while children continue to be targeted, exploited, and harmed in digital spaces designed without their safety in mind.
Recently, the federal government introduced the Safe Social Media Act (Bill C-34), which has not yet been passed by Parliament. The government has also passed Bill C-16, introducing new Criminal Code amendments that strengthen enforcement and increase penalties for online crimes against children. But enforcement alone is not prevention.
Children are still being harmed. Families are still waiting. And Canada still lacks a comprehensive, enforceable online safety framework.
This is no longer a countdown to a date.
It is a record of how long children have remained unprotected after commitments were made.
Children in Canada are growing up in a digital world that was never designed with their safety in mind.
Every day, young people are exposed to serious risks online—not because they are doing something wrong, but because the systems they are using are built to maximize engagement, not protect their wellbeing.
Parents and teachers are doing everything they can. But they cannot compete with platforms designed to keep children scrolling and coming back for more.
This is not a parenting problem. It’s a policy failure.
Thanks to thousands of Canadians, including children, youth, parents, educators, health professionals and partners, the federal government recently introduced the Safe Social Media Act.
The bill proposes important new protections for children, including:
stronger accountability for social media companies
new regulations to protect children from harms on AI chatbots
a proposed minimum age of 16 for social media accounts, with exemptions for services that demonstrate robust child protections
a new Digital Safety Commission to hold tech companies accountable
Thanks to thousands of Canadians, including children, youth, parents, educators, health professionals and partners, the federal government recently introduced the Safe Social Media Act.
The bill proposes important new protections for children, including:
stronger accountability for social media companies
new regulations to protect children from harms on AI chatbots
a proposed minimum age of 16 for social media accounts, with exemptions for services that demonstrate robust child protections
a new Digital Safety Commission to hold tech companies accountable
Now Parliament must debate, strengthen, and pass the legislation before these protections become reality. This bill transcends politics: if there is one thing all Members of Parliament should agree on, it’s the protection of children.
Through the Countdown for Kids, we are calling on Parliament to act now.
Tech companies must prevent foreseeable harms to children, including addictive algorithms, removing harmful content, and reducing risks like cyberbullying, sextortion, and other forms of online exploitation.
Platforms must be built with child safety as a priority, not an afterthought. All other products that impact kids
The proposed legislation includes the creation of a Digital Safety Commissioner, which would act as a powerful watchdog to hold companies accountable, enforce the law, and issue stiff penalties to companies that don’t comply. This is an essential element of the legislation that follows best practices from countries like Australia, the UK and the European Union.
The law must apply to social media, gaming platforms, AI tools, and direct messaging apps. Kids experience harms across the digital world, and those seeking to exploit children know how to lure them into digital spaces where they are most at risk. Currently the legislation includes social media and AI chatbots but leaves gaming and messaging apps off the hook and they must be brought into scope.
Children and youth must help shape the solutions that affect their lives. Nobody has more to gain or lose from this legislation than children, youth and their parents. Their lived experience must be considered as Parliament reviews the legislation.
The Countdown for Kids is a growing national movement of:
Advocates and community leaders
Children and youth
Parents and caregivers
Pediatricians and children’s hospitals
Educators and mental health experts
Together, we are raising our voices to demand change.
Throughout the Countdown for Kids, we hold in our hearts the young people across Canada whose lives have been taken or forever altered by online harms.
Amanda Todd, 15
Rehtaeh Parsons, 17
Carson Cleland, 12
Daniel Lints, 17
Harry Burke, 17
Penelope Sokolowski, 15
These are the children we know of. There are more whose names have never made headlines, but who suffered from preventable harms.
Their lives were full of possibility. Their pain was preventable.
As we continue this campaign, we do so in their memory and in honour of every child who has suffered, and those still at risk today.
We will not let this year end without doing what is necessary to protect the children of Canada.
No more waiting. No more excuses. It’s time to protect our kids.
Momentum is building across the country. Media is shining a light on the urgent need for action.
Children are speaking up. Parents are demanding change. Experts are calling this a crisis. Now we need Parliament to act.
Every signature sends a message:
Protect children. Pass the law.
Time’s Up on Online Harms. Tell Parliament to Protect Canada’s Children Online.
The federal government has introduced the Social Media Safety Act. Now Parliament must work together to strengthen the legislation where needed and pass it without delay.
Sign your name and join thousands of Canadians calling for stronger protections for children online.
By signing this form, you will be publicly listed as a supporter of the Joint Call to Action urging the Government of Canada to act without further delay on federal online safety legislation that meaningfully protects children. Supporters are calling for the government to advance a strong, enforceable Online Safety Act — one that clearly prioritizes children’s rights, safety, and well-being in digital spaces.
The Countdown for Kids campaign was launched on National Child Day (November 20, 2025) with the support of a powerful and growing coalition of organizations, including: Children First Canada, the Canadian Medical Association, SickKids, CHEO, IWK Health Centre, McMaster Children’s Hospital, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, CAMH – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Inspiring Healthy Futures, Future Ready Minds, Child & Youth Advocacy Centres of Canada, Treehouse Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, Amanda Todd Legacy Society, Parachute, End Violence Everywhere (EVE) Initiative, The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University, Unplugged Canada, Phone-Free Schools Movement, private sector partners including TELUS, and many others.
Together, we are calling on federal leaders to demonstrate clear political will and take decisive action to prevent further harm to children caused by cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, hate, and other forms of online violence. Children have waited long enough — and the responsibility to protect them cannot be deferred any further.
The Countdown for Kids is a national movement led by Children First Canada that brings together children, youth, parents, educators, health professionals, researchers, charities, businesses, and community leaders to create a safer digital world for children.
The campaign is supported by organizations such as the Canadian Medical Association, SickKids, CHEO, CAMH, IWK Health, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the Amanda Todd Legacy Society, Parachute, The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University, Child & Youth Advocacy Centres of Canada, TELUS, and many others.
Most importantly, children, youth, and parents are leading this movement.
Together, we are working to ensure Canada’s digital future is one where every child can safely learn, connect, create, and thrive.
Have questions? Want to get involved? We’d love to hear from you.
