THE PLEDGE TO
PROTECT CHILDHOOD
The kids are not alright.
Together, we can change that.
For the first time, online harms are the #1 threat facing children in Canada.
Children are growing up in a digital world that can help them learn, play and connect. But they are also facing cyberbullying, sexual exploitation and sextortion, harmful content, addictive design, online hate, misinformation and rapidly evolving AI.
What happens online doesn't stay online. It affects children's health, relationships, learning, safety and ability to simply be kids.
Children shouldn't have to navigate this alone. It's time for all of us to PROTECT CHILDHOOD.
Learn more
Read Raising Canada 2026 →I pledge to put children first.
Together, we can make Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up.
- 1Listen to children and take their experiences seriously.
- 2Create healthier digital habits that make room for sleep, play, learning and real-world connection.
- 3Speak up for safer technology that protects children's rights.
- 4Call on Parliament to act and hold technology companies accountable for children's safety.
- 5Protect childhood by putting children's best interests first in the choices I make.
Add your name
Join Canadians calling for action to protect childhood.
By signing, you are adding your voice to a growing movement of Canadians calling for action to protect childhood.
Why Now?
The numbers don't lie.
Canada is facing a child safety crisis. Every statistic below is a child — a life, a story, a future worth protecting.
reports of online child sexual abuse processed every month by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
increase in police-reported online child sexual exploitation between 2014 and 2024.
incidents of online child sexual exploitation recorded by police in 2024.
Source: Raising Canada 2026 — Children First Canada
Children's rights don't end when they go online.
Every child has rights, wherever they live, learn, play and connect. That includes the digital world.
Children's rights are everyone's responsibility.
Shared Responsibility
Children can't fix this alone. Neither can parents.
Families did not design the algorithms, business models or digital environments shaping children's lives. Protecting childhood requires all of us.
Tech Companies
Design safer products and be accountable for children's safety.
Schools
Protect learning, attention and wellbeing, and use technology purposefully.
Governments
Create and enforce strong laws and invest in prevention.
Young People
Have a meaningful voice in the decisions that shape their digital lives.
What Canada Needs to Do
Three priorities for action.
Make the digital world safer for kids.
Strengthen and pass the Safe Social Media Act (Bill C-34) and protect children across social media, gaming, messaging, livestreaming, AI and emerging technologies. Hold technology companies accountable for children's rights to protection, privacy, and freedom from harm.
Invest in prevention.
Give children, parents, educators and healthcare professionals practical, evidence-based digital literacy and mental-health supports. Protect time for sleep, reading, writing, play, physical activity, creativity and face-to-face relationships.
Put children at the centre of government.
Pass Bill S-212 and create a National Strategy for Children and Youth so Canada has a coordinated plan to address the biggest threats facing its 8 million children — with young people meaningfully involved.
Start Today
Small actions can make a big difference.
At Home
Keep phones and connected devices out of bedrooms. Create screen-free family time and protect time for sleep, play, reading and real-world connection. Talk openly about what happens online and make sure children know they can come to you when something goes wrong.
At School
Champion bell-to-bell phone policies, limit unnecessary screen use, and prioritize books, handwriting, discussion, hands-on learning and other offline approaches wherever technology does not clearly improve learning.
In Your Community
Start the conversation. Share trusted online-safety resources with other families. Speak up when a child needs help. Ask your school, sports team and community organizations to protect children online.
With Parliament
Tell your Member of Parliament and Senators that protecting children online cannot wait. Ask them to strengthen and pass the Safe Social Media Act (Bill C-34) and support a National Strategy for Children and Youth (Bill S-212).
Spread the Word
Share this campaign
Every share puts this issue in front of someone new. Help us reach 100,000 pledges — post on your social channels today.
Use #ProtectChildhood and #RaisingCanada in your posts
The Case for Action
Canada's future starts with kids.
We have heard from children. We have heard from parents. We have heard from doctors, researchers, educators and experts. We have the evidence. We know what needs to change.
This isn't about rejecting technology. It's about reclaiming childhood — and creating a Canada where children can learn, play, connect, and grow up without their health and safety being sacrificed for clicks, engagement or profit.
Put children first. Protect childhood. Join the movement.
Already signed? Share the Pledge and ask three people you know to join you.
The Protect Childhood Pledge and the Raising Canada 2026 report are part of Children First Canada's Countdown for Kids campaign — a growing national movement bringing together children, youth, parents, educators, health professionals and community leaders to demand urgent action from Parliament and create a safer digital world where every child can learn, connect, create and thrive. Learn more and join the countdown.