Why you too should be advocating for the rights of all children to live safe and secure lives in both digital and physical spaces.
Following society’s ever-increasing reliance on digital technologies and the internet for just about everything, there have been questions about the effects for children accessing and relying on the internet to play, learn, and socialise. With the explosion of both social and educational platforms, it has never been easier or more important for children to access the internet. ECPAT believes that it is a child’s right to access internet and all the possibilities that digital spaces offer. It is an essential part of their lives nowadays.
Education, awareness-raising, and empowering children online are essential if we want to ensure their safety.
ECPAT’s global study ‘Disrupting Harm’ on online child sexual exploitation and abuse has shown that children want to learn how to stay safe online. Rather than just hearing about the dangers of online spaces, they want education and training on how to safely navigate the digital world we all live in.
Children should be aware of the risks of child sexual abuse and grooming online. However, child safety online is much more than children being aware of online, and it cannot rely only on children awareness of the risks they might face. The onus of protecting children online should not fall entirely onto caregivers, parents, and teachers either. More needs to be done on the side of the internet service providers, tech companies, and policy makers.
ECPAT continues to work in close partnership with organisations across the EU and globally to advocate that child safety online remains a priority in the EU and beyond. Every child has the right to #BeSafeOnline.
In 2020, ECPAT launched Project Beacon as a response to the many concerns surrounding the changes to digital rights policies in the EU. Our team began advocating to ensure that online service providers commit and work to prevent and end all forms of online child sexual abuse online on their platforms, while adopting preventive measures, such as age verification tools, to ensure that their online platforms are #SafeByDeisgn. What does it mean? Learn more about safety by design — read ECPAT’s article.
Project Beacon aims to raise awareness and advocate for children’s rights in the digital world, and engage with concerned parties across the EU and beyond. By calling on EU policymakers and EU citizens to take action, ECPAT aims to influence the adoption of robust, harmonised policies, and a legal framework that will ensure child safety becomes a top priority in digital spaces and encrypted environments across EU member states.
“Regulation can help us engage in meaningful conversation about the protection of children from violence online.”
Amy Crocker, Head of Child Protection and Technology, ECPAT International
Children voices must be included in every decision that affects their lives and well-being. ECPAT believes that children should be involved at every stage of any legislative process that affects them. In particular, policy makers should continuously assess the impact of legislations, such as the European Commission’s proposed regulation, on children’s rights.
“Will we continue to fail child victims of online abuse, or we will stand for their right to be safe online?”
Amy Crocker, Head of Child Protection and Technology, ECPAT International
We look forward to working with all interested parties, to share our expertise, and create a safe world for children online. A coordinated response against online threats to children is the only way to turn the tide on child sexual exploitation and abuse online.
Project Beacon will continue to advocate for change and ensure child safety online in the digital spaces both on the long-term perspective and urgent matters.
There is a collective effort between ECPAT members in EU Member States, ECPAT International, and other child rights organisations across the EU: Together, we are informing and influencing the public and media debate around these crucial issues.
ECPAT International invites you to join us as we advocate for the rights of children online. Change cannot be achieved without your help, and we welcome all voices on the topic. Get in touch and stay tuned for exciting developments to come!
What do the EU citizens really think about data privacy and child protection online?
How far are we to ensure Child Safety Online in the EU? A timeline of events.
Towards online child protection in the EU
Why Does Online Child Protection Matter? Here is ECPAT Project Beacon to explain why
ECPAT welcomes European Commission’s proposal to prevent and combat child sexual abuse
What is ECPAT doing to ensure Child Safety Online in the EU?
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