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?
ECPAT International’s opinion on the topic of child sexual abuse online and the European Commission’s proposal to Combat and Prevent Child Sexual Abuse online. Interview broadcasted in the German MDR/AR media journal.
Available in: German
Available in: English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish
ECPAT International et Association Burkinabè pour la Survie de l’Enfance et Keoogo (Burkina Faso) ont exploré la question de l’exploitation sexuelle des enfants dans le contexte du voyage et du transport par le biais d’une recherche visant à documenter la connaissance et la compréhension locales de la question dans le pays, à évaluer les pratiques et à identifier les réponses locales. Les résultats de cette recherche sont consolidés dans le présent document d’analyse de la situation et serviront de base à l’action de plaidoyer du projet.
Available in: French
ECPAT International et Monde Des Enfants (Guinée) ont exploré la question de l’exploitation sexuelle des enfants dans le contexte du voyage et du transport par le biais d’une recherche visant à documenter la connaissance et la compréhension locales de la question dans le pays, à évaluer les pratiques et à identifier les réponses locales. Les résultats de cette recherche sont consolidés dans le présent document d’analyse de la situation et serviront de base à l’action de plaidoyer du projet.
Available in: French
Ensuring children’s safety online is crucial in the digital age, demanding a thorough understanding of children’s perspectives and needs. The executive summary of the VOICE project, a collaboration between ECPAT International, Eurochild, and Terre des Hommes Netherlands under the Down to Zero Alliance, provides quick access to the research findings from the VOICE Report “Speaking Up For Change: Children’s and Caregivers’ Voices for Safer Online Experiences.” It calls for immediate action and advocacy to implement robust safety measures and actively involve children in shaping online safety policies.
Available in: Bengali, Croatian, Dutch, English, Estonian, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Thai
From March 4-7, 2024, a transformative workshop in Bangkok, Thailand, convened 113 participants from 34 countries spanning East and Southeast Asia, South Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Pacific. The Collective Action: End Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse workshop served as a pivotal gathering that transcended geographical boundaries to address the global crisis of sexual exploitation of children, including in the digital world. Bringing together a diverse array of stakeholders, including ECPAT members, Safe Online grantees, nongovernmental organisations and civil society organisations, as well as experts, advocates, practitioners, international organisations, and philanthropic entities from around the world, the workshop marked a significant milestone in the ongoing movement to address the sexual exploitation of children.
This report, synthesising the workshop’s outcomes, serves as a blueprint for ongoing efforts against the sexual exploitation of children. It calls for continued innovation, collaboration, and a unified vision to protect every child from sexual exploitation.
Available in: English