Comment by Lianna McDonald

For over 20 years, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection has documented a steep and accelerating rise in online harms against children, including child sexual abuse and exploitation. The tabling of the Digital Safety Act is a historic day that could turn the tide on this trajectory. By establishing clear obligations, most notably delaying access to social media until age 16, this Bill recognizes that childhood is a finite and vulnerable period-one that demands protection, not exploitation. It is long past time that the safety of children and survivors is prioritized online. The urgency is undeniable; too many lives have been sacrificed.