Reflections: Day 1 of the 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children
A Spotlight on Child Helplines
Yesterday marked the opening of the 1st Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, a historic gathering of government officials, policy experts, activists and organizations committed to ending violence against children. Hosted in a spirit of collaboration, the conference set an ambitious tone – building a world where no child faces violence and where […]
Ending Violence Against Children: Positioning Child Helplines at the Heart of Response, Referral, Protection and Prevention
As we approach the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Bogotá, Colombia, we are reminded that violence against children is not just a problem in some corners of the world—it’s a universal crisis. Violence impacts children across geographies, cultures, and socio-economic contexts. It threatens their health, disrupts their education, and shatters their […]
You Are Not Alone
The Role of Child Helplines in Responding to AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)
In recent years, the exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized many aspects of society. However, with these advancements come new and disturbing challenges, including the rise of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Reports from the Internet Watch Foundation reveal that AI-generated CSAM is becoming increasingly prevalent online, reaching what they call a […]
Shaping a Future with Children at the Centre
How the UN's "Summit of the Future" Unlocks Opportunities for Child Helplines
The United Nations’ recent “Summit of the Future” marked a significant milestone in global governance, policy frameworks and strategies. Its final report emphasizes a forward-looking agenda that places children and young people at the heart of shaping the future. This forward-thinking vision has exciting implications and possibilities for child protection and responsive services, particularly for […]
Get Ready to Ride With Us!
Many children and young people enjoy online gaming, giving them opportunities to make friends, learn new skills and improve cognitive functions. The downsides and risks are also well documented and acknowledged by duty bearers, carers and young people themselves. Sadly, many children and young people are exposed to harmful content online, through gaming platforms. Some […]
Safer Internet Day 2023: We Have To Do More To Keep Children & Young People Safe Online
Today is Safer Internet Day. As child abuse increasingly takes on an online dimension, it’s especially important that this year’s international Safer Internet Day is drawing particular attention to the online safety of children and young people. I’m writing from the Netherlands, where we have recently been confronted with some horrific examples of online sexual […]
Six ambitious policies to end child abuse
We currently stand at a critical moment for the world’s children. Unless we act now and with urgency, we risk losing a generation of children to the long-term impacts of violence and abuse that will undermine child safety, health, learning and development long after the pandemic subsides. We cannot let that happen. Child Helpline International […]
Ensuring Children and Young People’s Voices are heard during Covid-19
Covid-19 continues to impact the lives of millions of children and young people around the globe. Despite lockdown and restrictions in many countries, child helplines have remained operational and many have been able to adjust quickly to the new realities of remote working, providing essential services in challenging times. For many children and young people, child helplines have been – and continue to be – the only point of […]