Mother's fight for stricter online safeguards after daughter's tragic death

Chelsey Whittingham is pushing for stricter rules on harmful online content after her 13-year-old daughter, Maddy Croswell, died following exposure to self-harm material on social media. She argues for stronger safeguards to protect minors from dangerous algorithms and targeted promotion of suicide-related content. Maddy Croswell repeatedly encountered harmful material despite active parental controls. Her mother now demands action from governments, tech firms, and educators to prevent similar tragedies.

Whittingham proposes practical steps for parents, including time limits on device use, closer monitoring of online activity, and disabling data collection features that fuel targeted algorithms. She also stresses the need for education on digital safety for both children and adults.

B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma supports Australia’s recent move to raise penalties for social media age law violations. The maximum fine now stands at $99 million AUD (around $96.8 million CAD). Sharma believes this level of punishment will compel profit-driven companies to take compliance seriously.

While encouraged by Canada’s proposed social media legislation, Whittingham insists on greater transparency and independent oversight. She urges collaboration between policymakers, healthcare professionals, and tech platforms to address the issue effectively. The call for change comes after a personal loss linked to unchecked online content. Stricter penalties, better education, and cross-sector cooperation are seen as key to reducing harm. The aim is to prevent minors from accessing dangerous material on social media platforms.