Author | Lightnews

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · 11d

This Toronto Star podcast unpacking online harms to kids is a must listen. Special focus on sextortion & sexual exploitation in eps 5 & 6 w/ stories of survivors/victims in their own words. A jarring reminder of what's happening in homes across Canada.
Listen here: www.thestar.com/podcasts/lef...

Left to their own devices podcast

Today's technology has redefined childhood and adolescence. We gave children the most powerful tools in human history. Then, we left them to their own devices.

www.thestar.com

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · 22d

Absolutely heartbreaking piece. Full episode will be released tonight at 8 p.m. ET on CBC.

How many more Canadian children will be taken from us before we start forcing online platforms to stop sextorters from preying on our kids?

www.cbc.ca/news/marketp...

Sextorters are targeting young boys online — and flaunting how rich the scam is making them | CBC News

There's a network of overseas scammers targeting and blackmailing teens, and in some cases driving them to suicide within hours of falling into a trap known as sextortion. CBC's Marketplace created fa...

www.cbc.ca

3 2

Reposted by Lianna McDonald

Canadian Centre for Child Protection @cdnchildprotect.bsky.social · 29d

Every report to Cybertip.ca has the potential to help protect countless children impacted by online sexual violence.

For #Cybertip.caAwarenessDay, learn more about risks to children online and how you can support your kids at Cybertip.ca.

1 2

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Sep 10

X has the power to make this woman's suffering go away with the push of a button, but they refuse to simply do the right and moral thing. Reprehensible, I simply have no words. Canadian law makers: take careful note of this case.

www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...

Elon Musk's X faces Canadian fine for not removing non-consensual intimate images

A Canadian civil tribunal has fined Elon Musk’s social media platform X for its refusal to comply with an order to remove a non-consensual intimate image, a decision published last week showed.

www.reuters.com

1 2

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Aug 26

“Our abuse is being shared, traded, and sold on the app you own. If you would act without hesitation to protect your own children, I beg you to do the same for the rest of us.”

A message published by the BBC from a CSAM survivor to X’s Elon Musk. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Child sex abuse victim begs Elon Musk to remove links to her images

BBC investigation finds US victim's images are traded globally by an operator based in Indonesia.

www.bbc.com

1

Reposted by Lianna McDonald

Canadian Centre for Child Protection @cdnchildprotect.bsky.social · Jun 24

“How much worse does the problem need to get before [tech] are finally going to step up and help?” – Survivor of child sexual abuse material.

Listen to the finale of Arachnid, which explores the impact tech regulations could have on survivors, here: open.spotify.com/episode/2tmV...

Ep 6: Showdown

Arachnid: Hunting the web’s darkest secrets · Episode

open.spotify.com

2 3

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Jun 10

Tech companies can stop the spread of CSAM, yet their actions suggest it's not a priority for them. We desperately need government regulation to hold this industry accountable for the continuing devastation survivors face.

2 1

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Jun 10

Heartbreaking words from a survivor in today's Arachnid episode: “It dawned on me that my worst nightmare has occurred. That this had spread everywhere, & that anyone at any time could go & view it if they wanted, & that I am never ever going to escape from it.”

open.spotify.com/episode/4Pip...

Ep 4: On the Hotseat

Arachnid: Hunting the web’s darkest secrets · Episode

open.spotify.com

1 3 3

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Jun 4

All of us @cdnchildprotect.bsky.social look forward to continuing to work with the federal government to support online child protection measures and welcome the opportunity to contribute critical information to further strengthen this bill at the committee stage 👏
protectchildren.ca/en/press-and...

STATEMENT: the Strong Borders Act would help streamline Canada’s police response to online crimes against children

Statement on behalf of Lianna McDonald, Executive Director for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection

protectchildren.ca

2 2

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Jun 3

Rob Cribb beautifully weaves heartbreaking emotion and powerful hope through survivors’ experiences in this week’s episode of Arachnid. Thank you for the care and attention you bring to reporting on these issues Rob ❤️ @ijbstories.bsky.social

Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/7Mi9...

Episode Three - The Evidence Catcher

Arachnid: Hunting the web’s darkest secrets · Episode

open.spotify.com

2 2

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · May 27

“After I disclosed, I was able to find out through law enforcement about how those videos had been spread on the Internet, and that day was one of the hardest days of my life.”

For a reality check on what's happening online to children listen to: www.tvo.org/podcasts/ara... @ijbstories.bsky.social

TVO Today | Current Affairs Journalism, Documentaries and Podcasts

www.tvo.org

2 2

Reposted by Lianna McDonald

Canadian Centre for Child Protection @cdnchildprotect.bsky.social · May 27

📣The first 2 episodes of @tvotoday.bsky.social's "Arachnid: Hunting the web's darkest secrets" are out now! C3P's Lianna McDonald and Lloyd Richardson join host Rob Cribb to unpack how Project Arachnid helps pave the way in the battle against CSAM.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

Arachnid: Hunting the web’s darkest secrets

True Crime Podcast · Weekly Series · What if the worst thing that ever happened to you plays out every day, countless times, on anonymous computer screens all over the world. Everyday tens of millio...

podcasts.apple.com

4 4

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · May 26

Important information sharing this week with our visitors Dr. Michael Salter, Dr. Elly Hanson, Professor John Rouse & Jim Cole. We’re extremely appreciative of your dedication & passion for researching child sexual exploitation online and helping us move the needle to protect the world’s children.

1 1

Reposted by Lianna McDonald

Canadian Centre for Child Protection @cdnchildprotect.bsky.social · May 25

If your child ever goes missing, we can help. Get the guidance you need or help bring a child home by visiting MissingKids.ca. #MissingChildrensDay2025

1 1

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · May 20

C3P's technology director Lloyd Richardson and I had the opportunity to speak with @ijbstories.bsky.social's Robert Cribb about how technology like Project Arachnid is necessary to curb the distribution of CSAM online. That conversation will be featured in a new podcast coming May 27th.

Investigative Journalism Bureau @ijbstories.bsky.social · May 20

Coming soon: Our new podcast, Arachnid: Hunting the web’s darkest secrets in collaboration with TVO, Piz Gloria Productions and the Toronto Star is launching on all platforms on May 27.

Stay tuned and listen to the trailer: www.tvo.org/podcasts/ara...

TVO Today | Current Affairs Journalism, Documentaries and Podcasts

www.tvo.org

1 1 2

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · May 14

Congratulations to Prime Minister @mark-carney.bsky.social and the new Cabinet! We look forward to working with the PMO and the Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, to advance critical efforts to protect children from sexual exploitation & to keep them safe online and offline. #cdnpoli

1 1

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · May 8

We are so proud of the work we do, and this exhibit gives us an opportunity to showcase the impact our organization is having on the well-being of children in Canada and around the world.

Canadian Centre for Child Protection @cdnchildprotect.bsky.social · May 8

A new installation highlighting the 40-year history of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s (C3P) work to safeguard the rights of children has been unveiled at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.

Learn more: protectchildren.ca/en/press-and...

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · May 1

With the election behind us, we now look ahead to a pressing issue in Canada — safeguarding children in online spaces. We look forward to working with this new government & all newly elected & re-elected MPs to ensure Canadian children are better protected online. protectchildren.ca/en/press-and...

STATEMENT: Canadian Centre for Child Protection congratulates all members of the 45th Parliament, reminds parties of their campaign commitments to online child safety

Statement on behalf of Lianna McDonald, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection

protectchildren.ca

1 1

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Apr 12

Candace’s legacy is present in every call for help we receive, every child and family we assist, and every step we take to make the world a safer place for children.

Happy anniversary @cdnchildprotect.bsky.social !

Canadian Centre for Child Protection @cdnchildprotect.bsky.social · Apr 12

40 years ago our organization was founded by Wilma Derksen. After her daughter Candace was abducted & murdered, Wilma wanted to provide a safe & supportive space for families of missing children. Four decades later, we remain true to our original mission to support children & families in distress.

1

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Apr 9

At yesterday's trial, the 13-year-old girl who was abducted and sexually abused by this man shared a victim impact statement that conveyed how this horrific abuse and exploitation impacted her.

I leave you with her ardent words: I deserve to be free. He does not.

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

U.S. man sentenced to 50 years in prison for sexually abusing, abducting 13-year-old Edmonton girl | CBC News

Noah Madrano pleaded guilty in January to two felony charges, admitting to sexually abusing an Edmonton teenager that he contacted over the internet, then met her in person and took her over the U.S.-...

www.cbc.ca

1 2

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Mar 24

This level of violence against children online is disgusting and horrifying. We need legislation in place to hold the tech companies that host these groups accountable for the irrevocable harm they’re causing children.
www.cbc.ca/newsinteract...

This violent extremist network targets kids online

An Alberta teen was trapped inside an online extremist network that the RCMP says is ‘unlike anything’ its counterterrorism unit has ever seen.

www.cbc.ca

3 3

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Mar 21

As we continue the fight against online child sexual exploitation, the support we receive from our incredible partners like Public Safety Canada is crucial in what we do. We look forward to continuing the work of making the online space a safer one — together. www.canada.ca/en/public-sa...

Government of Canada invests in protecting children and youth from online sexual exploitation - Canada.ca

Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced $39.7 million in federal funding to protect children and youth from online sexual exploitation.

www.canada.ca

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Feb 19

It is absurd that major social media platforms are allowing this harmful and abusive material to be easily shared when there are free, accessible ways to preventatively stop it from being uploaded.

Canadian Centre for Child Protection @cdnchildprotect.bsky.social · Feb 19

Lloyd Richardson, C3P Director of IT on the distribution of child sexual abuse material on social media:
"Companies do very little about it. They make the excuse that, 'Well, this is an encrypted space. We can't do anything to detect images here,' which is quite untrue."
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

Online exploitation probe in Norway led to arrest of Brandon man accused of making child pornography | CBC News

The recent arrest of a Manitoba home daycare operator and foster parent accused of making child pornography was the direct result of an investigation by Norwegian law enforcement, who alerted Canadian...

www.cbc.ca

4 8

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Jan 29

Project Arachnid has successfully removed millions of child sexual abuse images from the internet & has been a life raft for many survivors who often live in fear & deep anxiety over the spread of these images online.

Learn more about Project Arachnid's growth: projectarachnid.ca/8th-anniversary

Project Arachnid’s 8th Anniversary

Since 2017, Project Arachnid has been on the forefront of the fight against the global proliferation of child sexual abuse material on the internet.

projectarachnid.ca

1 3

Lianna McDonald @liannamcdonald.bsky.social · Jan 24

Miranda’s child was abducted & sexually abused for 7 days because tech platforms have refused to protect children. We cannot stand idle. Government must regulate social media platforms to prevent this extreme violence from reaching more Canadian children.

www.thestar.com/news/her-13-...

Her 13-year-old daughter was kidnapped by an online predator. Why she and others say Canada isn’t doing enough to protect children using social media

As the Online Harms Act languishes in Parliament, advocates say Canada must follow other countries that have passed laws to better protect kids.

www.thestar.com

2 3