ECPAT and NSPCC’s 2023 Poll has shown that public opinion remains steadfast. We surveyed 25,151 people aged 18+ across 15 EU countries and the UK and we found out that the call for legislation to protect children online is not up for debate; it’s an urgent public demand. More than half of all Europeans surveyed declared that this issue will influence how they vote at a future election. With the European Parliament elections on the horizon in June 2024, MEPs face a duty and a moral imperative to enact meaningful legislation for online child safety.
Not only are Europeans calling for more child safety online, but ECPAT and Eurobarometer data show they want it now more than ever. In 2021, ECPAT conducted a similar poll, asking EU citizens about their views on child safety online. The findings from 2021 and 2023 underscore a major growing concern among European citizens: children in 2023 are not safer online than they were in 2021. The time has come to place legal obligations on online service providers, such as social media platforms, to assess and mitigate the risk of child sexual abuse on their online platforms.
In the words of Frida*, a survivor of technology-facilitated sexual abuse as a child:
“As a 13-year-old, I deserved to be safe, and I deserved the right to express myself on the internet. As someone in my early twenties I deserve the right to privacy, the right to know that explicit images and videos of me as a child can’t continue to be shared.”
Despite the contentious debate around online privacy, ECPAT and NSPCC poll reveal that 72% of adults in the EU and the UK are willing to compromise some degree of their privacy online if it helps to protect children from risks of sexual abuse online. Data show that more than 70% of adults in the EU and the UK support online service providers to detect, report, and remove child sexual abuse material and grooming on end-to-end encrypted services. The message is clear: privacy concerns should not eclipse the safety of our children.
Amy Crocker, Head of Child Protection and Technology at ECPAT International said:
Public sentiment remains unswayed by privacy debates that overshadow child protection needs. The demand for comprehensive legislation safeguarding our children online is urgent, immediate, and non-negotiable. EU leaders can no longer afford to be inactive or indecisive. Privacy is essential, buthe well-being of our children must be the cornerstone of EU digital policies.
Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said:
It’s clear that voters across the UK and Europe back strong protections for children online and companies opposed to regulation are becoming increasingly out of step with their user base. Lawmakers and tech executives should listen to the voices of survivors and the public by placing the safety of children at the centre of their decision-making.
Data reveals that Europeans see online service providers as one of the most important actors in preventing and protecting children from sexual abuse and exploitation online. And for a good reason! A WeProtect Global Study on the experiences of 18-20-year-old confirms Europeans’ growing concern: more than 60% of child respondents in Europe are experiencing at least one form of child sexual abuse online. Alarmingly, more than 60% of children worldwide are receiving unwanted sexually explicit photos, videos, or messages through mobile phones on private messaging services.
ECPAT Disrupting Harm research shows that advice and education coming from parents and teachers is not enough to protect children online. More needs to be done on the side of tech companies and online service providers as the dangers for children increase.
Meet ECPAT Project Beacon – Putting children’s rights into the heart of digital policy
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?
Comment, like, and share to help us get the word out! #EUvsChildSexualAbuse #ChildSafetyON
As part of the current revision of the Recast Child Sexual Abuse Directive (2011/93/EU), ECPAT International, in collaboration with the ECLAG coalition, has prepared key advocacy documents, including an advocacy paper outlining our main recommendations to strengthen the Directive and detailed memos addressing specific issues in depth (1. Penalties for online crimes, 2. Consent, 3. Statutes of limitations, 4. Prevention, 5. Assistance and support to victims, 6. The right to compensation, 7. The definition of survivors).
Available in: English
From June 3-7, 2024, ECPAT International hosted the San José Dialogue – Collective Action to End Child Sexual Exploitation in the Americas in Costa Rica. With 116 participants from 20 countries, the workshop brought together ECPAT members, government representatives, NGOs, and private sector partners to tackle the pressing issue of child sexual exploitation.
The workshop explored emerging trends, cross-border challenges, and the importance of empowering Indigenous communities and incorporating the voices of children and survivors into prevention strategies.
This report captures key insights and actionable steps to drive collaboration and innovation across the region, reinforcing our shared commitment to protecting every child from sexual exploitation.
Available in: English
The ECPAT Country Overview on Nigeria provides a comprehensive summary of all forms of sexual exploitation of children in the country, assessing achievements and challenges in implementing counteractions to eliminate this issue. It suggests concrete priority actions urgently needed to proactively advance the national fight against sexual exploitation of children.
The ECPAT Country Overview for Nigeria also incorporates insights from fourteen key informants, including representatives from civil society organisations working in child protection, organisations supporting child survivors and those aiding children in conflict areas, law enforcement professionals and government representatives.
Available in: English
From August 26–29, 2024, ECPAT International convened the South Asia Regional Workshop on Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Kathmandu, Nepal. This workshop brought together over 60 participants from civil society, international agencies, government entities, and youth advocates to address the urgent issue of child sexual exploitation across the region.
This report captures the key discussions, findings, and recommendations from the event, offering insights into how emerging trends like technology, migration, and climate change are shaping children’s vulnerabilities. It is a vital resource for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates working to combat child sexual exploitation and build a safer future for all children in South Asia.
Available in: English
The case study conducted with My Friend’s Place in Los Angeles, USA, looks at how to work with boys and male youth affected by sexual exploitation and abuse in situations of homelessness and marginalization.
Available in: English
From May 27-31, 2024, ECPAT International, in collaboration with key partners, hosted the Collective Action: End Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Regional Workshop in Saly, Senegal. The workshop aimed to galvanise regional efforts to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse in West, Central, and North Africa.
This report captures the rich insights, challenges, and promising practices shared during the workshop. It serves as a vital resource for guiding future actions and shaping a unified approach towards combatting child sexual exploitation and abuse, including in the digital world.
Available in: English, French