Youth Voices Lead Charge for Digital Protection
Children's advocacy organizations are intensifying their pressure on the federal government to reintroduce comprehensive online harms legislation. The movement gained significant momentum on November 20, 2025, when Zachary Fathally, an 11-year-old youth adviser with Children First Canada, addressed a news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, bringing a powerful youth perspective to the national conversation about digital safety.
The Urgent Need for Legislative Action
Advocates argue that the absence of proper online protections leaves Canadian children vulnerable to various digital threats, including cyberbullying, exploitation, and harmful content. The proposed legislation would establish clearer accountability measures for online platforms and create stronger safeguards for young users. The November 20th demonstration on Parliament Hill represented a coordinated effort by multiple child protection groups to make this issue a legislative priority.
Growing Momentum for Change
The presence of young advocates like Zachary Fathally underscores how digital safety concerns affect the very demographic most at risk. Children First Canada and other organizations are leveraging both youth voices and expert opinions to build compelling arguments for why this legislation cannot wait. They emphasize that with children spending increasing amounts of time online, particularly since the pandemic, the need for protective measures has never been more urgent.
As the debate continues, advocates remain determined to keep pressure on lawmakers until concrete action is taken. They argue that protecting children in digital spaces is not just a policy issue but a fundamental child rights matter that requires immediate government attention and decisive legislative action.
