British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma backs call for stricter child online safety after teen's death

Chelsey Whittingham, mother of 13‑year‑old Maddy Croswell, told reporters in Williams Lake that her daughter died after repeated exposure to harmful content recommended by a social‑media platform. Whittingham said parental controls and screen‑time limits were insufficient against powerful recommendation algorithms.

British Columbia Attorney General Niki Sharma met Whittingham at the Cariboo Classic Invitational and expressed support for the family's plea. She highlighted the federal Bill C‑34, the Safe Social Media Act, and called for greater transparency on age‑verification, algorithmic recommendations, and regulation of self‑harm or suicide‑promoting content. Sharma urged independent oversight of platforms, faster intervention mechanisms, and education for parents and children on digital safety.

The pair presented the Spirit of the Sport Award to three gymnasts in memory of Maddy during a ceremony at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex on May 23. The campaign seeks coordinated action from governments, educators, health‑care providers and technology companies to protect vulnerable youth online.