The online world is moving fast. In the last three decades, our lives have transformed beyond recognition. From days when we were connecting online from old-LAN computers and cell phones, we now find ourselves immersed in an uncontrolled digital revolution, with Artificial Intelligence and the realms of the Metaverse knocking at our screens.
Yet, as our digital world expands, so do its challenges. Beneath the wonders of the online world lies a darker reality, which contains new forms of dangers such as identity theft, data breaches, violence and discrimination. Worst among these harms, child sexual abuse and exploitation is increasing and evolving every year.
Child sexual abuse and exploitation is happening online, often out of our sight, but with real consequences for the children around us. To prevent harm, it is essential to comprehend the workings of the online world and implement measures that safeguard children from online sexual abuse—without resorting to a complete prohibition of internet access or other restrictive measures. It’s about knowing and using a range of methods and tools to both protect and empower children in their digital lives.
With a focus on the tools to prevent child sexual abuse online, ECPAT calls on government officials, tech companies, professionals, and caregivers to unite and activate on this issue. How? The answers lie in becoming aware of the risks and manifestations of child sexual abuse online and learn which tools are available to fight this horrendous crime. It’s a collective responsibility to educate ourselves and act, ensuring children benefit from the internet and are protected from harm.
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?
Children on the move’s digital connectivity needs often conflict with safe navigation. In this context, ECPAT International and ARSIS conducted a research project to explore the perceptions and experiences of children on the move in using technologies, the manifestations of technology-facilitated harms, including sexual exploitation, and how to build safer online environments for children. Participatory sessions were conducted with 32 children on the move (aged 14–17), including 9 girls and 23 boys living in ARSIS accommodation facilities. Through structured and playful activities, children created and narrated fictional digital characters (avatars), allowing them to safely express experiences, perceptions of risk, and ideas about digital safety without requiring personal disclosure. To complement children’s perspectives, the research included interviews with 17 service providers in Greece and 25 global key informants working on digital safety and child protection. Children on the move described technology as central to their daily lives, functioning both as an everyday tool and as a lifeline during their journeys. Digital devices supported communication with family and peers, adaptation to new environments, learning, entertainment and access to information, while also helping children navigate unfamiliar places, overcome language barriers, and stay safe. Children’s digital engagement was shaped by intersectional factors, including gender, background, and mobility conditions.
Available in: English, Greek
These documents capture key lessons generated from the Children Know Better project, exploring how to engage children safely, ethically, and meaningfully in participatory research and advocacy on child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Available in: English
Ces rapports visent à fournir une compréhension contextualisée de l’exploitation sexuelle des garçons au Burkina Faso, en Côte d’Ivoire, en Guinée et au Niger. Ils se concentrent sur les perceptions au sein des communautés locales, les facteurs qui exposent les garçons à des risques accrus et les besoins en matière de prévention, de protection et de services de soutien.
Available in: French
Ces rapports visent à fournir une compréhension contextualisée de l’exploitation sexuelle des garçons au Burkina Faso, en Côte d’Ivoire, en Guinée et au Niger. Ils se concentrent sur les perceptions au sein des communautés locales, les facteurs qui exposent les garçons à des risques accrus et les besoins en matière de prévention, de protection et de services de soutien.
Available in: French
Ces rapports visent à fournir une compréhension contextualisée de l’exploitation sexuelle des garçons au Burkina Faso, en Côte d’Ivoire, en Guinée et au Niger. Ils se concentrent sur les perceptions au sein des communautés locales, les facteurs qui exposent les garçons à des risques accrus et les besoins en matière de prévention, de protection et de services de soutien.
Available in: French
Ces rapports visent à fournir une compréhension contextualisée de l’exploitation sexuelle des garçons au Burkina Faso, en Côte d’Ivoire, en Guinée et au Niger. Ils se concentrent sur les perceptions au sein des communautés locales, les facteurs qui exposent les garçons à des risques accrus et les besoins en matière de prévention, de protection et de services de soutien.
Available in: French