Mother demands action after daughter's death linked to harmful online content

Chelsey Whittingham has spoken out about the dangers of social media following the death of her 13-year-old daughter, Maddy Croswell. The girl died after being exposed to harmful content online. Whittingham is now pushing for stronger protections for young people on digital platforms. Whittingham supports Canada’s proposed social media bill but wants more transparency and independent oversight. She argues that current parental controls fail to counter the influence of powerful algorithms targeting vulnerable children. Her calls extend to educating both parents and young users about online risks.

She has urged tech companies to prioritise people over profits. Among her suggestions are setting time limits, monitoring children’s use, and disabling data collection and targeted algorithms. She also demands stricter regulation of self-harm and suicide-promoting content aimed at minors.

Meanwhile, B.C. Attorney General Niki Sharma has highlighted Australia’s increased penalty of $99 million for social media age law breaches. Sharma believes this hefty fine will make for-profit companies take notice and reassess their practices. Whittingham continues to advocate for collaboration between governments, educators, healthcare providers, parents, and tech firms. Her efforts aim to create a safer online environment for children. The proposed measures and penalties signal growing pressure on platforms to change their approach.