The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children (CCRC) welcomes the advancement of Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, to the next stage of parliamentary review. This marks an important step toward addressing the growing online risks facing children and young people in Canada, including cyberbullying, sexual exploitation, harmful content, and emerging challenges associated with digital platforms and AI technologies.
For many years, the Coalition has called for stronger protections for children and greater implementation of children’s rights in public policy. We have also highlighted the urgent need to protect children from online harms while ensuring that their rights to participation, privacy, expression, information, and development are respected.
As Bill C-34 proceeds to committee, the CCRC believes this phase of review is critical. Committee study provides an opportunity to ensure that the legislation is firmly grounded in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and informed by the experiences and perspectives of children themselves. The Coalition encourages parliamentarians to hear directly from children, youth, families, researchers, service providers, and child rights experts as they examine the bill and its potential impacts. This includes working with organizations that can support age-appropriate, inclusive, accessible and trauma-informed opportunities to hear directly from children who have experienced online harms.
The Coalition recognizes that legislation alone cannot eliminate online harms. Effective implementation, independent oversight, accountability mechanisms, and ongoing consultation with children and young people will be essential to ensuring that the framework protects children while respecting their rights. In addition, parents, educators, and family service providers need legislative support and resources to uphold children’s rights to safety, participation, dignity, and protection from violence online and offline. CCRC also welcomes further discussion at committee on how the legislation can remain responsive to rapidly evolving technologies and online environments.
Children have the right to be safe online, but they also have the right to be heard. The committee stage is an opportunity to strengthen Bill C-34 and ensure that Canada’s approach to online safety reflects both of these fundamental principles.
The Canadian Coalition for the Rights of Children looks forward to contributing a child rights perspective as Parliament continues its consideration of this important legislation.