Ottawa advocates call for child online safety law to cover AI chatbots and gaming platforms

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published April 27, 2026

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Child safety advocates gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday to press the federal government to move ahead with online safety legislation that clearly covers AI chatbots and gaming platforms, not only social media.

The national day of action, led by Children First Canada, brought together children, youth, parents and allies to demand stronger federal protections against online harms. The organization says children in Canada have waited nearly 1,700 days since earlier political commitments to protect them online.

Advocates argue that the digital risks facing children have moved beyond traditional social media feeds. They now include gaming platforms, private messaging spaces and AI-powered chatbots that can interact directly with minors in ways parents may not see or understand.

The campaign is calling for a federal Online Safety Act built around a legal duty of care for technology companies, safer design standards for services used by children and young people, and an independent regulator with real enforcement powers.

The issue has gained urgency as governments around the world consider tougher rules for children’s access to social media and AI tools. In Canada, experts advising Ottawa on online harms have also raised the question of whether any new law can be effective if it does not address AI chatbots.

The federal government introduced an online harms bill in 2024, but it died on the Order Paper when Parliament was dissolved in January 2025. Ottawa says its commitment to addressing online harms remains, while child protection groups argue that further delay leaves families carrying a burden they cannot manage alone.

For parents, the concern is practical. Children can encounter harmful content or unsafe interactions through phones, laptops, gaming consoles and AI tools, often faster than families or schools can respond. Advocates say the law must reflect the digital world children actually use today.

The pressure on Parliament now centres on one question: will Canada’s next online safety law be broad enough to cover the platforms and technologies shaping children’s daily lives?