Background and Context
In today’s digital world, children face increasing risks and harms online. According to UNICEF, one in three internet users is under 18, yet online spaces expose them to threats such as cyberbullying, online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA), misinformation, and harmful content.
Research from the Disrupting Harm project indicates that between 11% and 40% of OCSEA victims never report their abuse, and when they do, very few turn to child helplines for support. This underutilization is often due to lack of awareness, fear, or stigma. Additionally, while child helplines are a crucial support structure, providing 24/7 psychosocial support and guidance, information and referrals, many lack adequate funding and resources to effectively respond to online harms.
Strengthening child helplines is essential to ensuring children have access to safe, trusted support systems online.
Donor
To address these issues, Child Helpline International has launched a project focused on online harms, coordinated by UNICEF, and funded by Global Cybersecurity Forum, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2025-2027).
Project Objectives and Outcomes
The project will be implemented over two years (2025–2027). The initiative aims to:
Build capacity of child helplines in responding to online harms:
- Enhance the capacity of child helplines to effectively respond to online harms through specialized training and data management improvements.
- Improve data collection and reporting mechanisms to strengthen child protection responses at national and global levels.
Increase awareness of online harms and child helplines:
- Increase awareness among children, caregivers, and communities about child helplines as a support and reporting mechanism for online risks.
- Increase recognition of child helplines as key services to protect children online, through toll-free, available 24/7, and confidential services, with trained counsellors equipped to handle digital threats.
Activities
To achieve these outcomes, key activities will include:
Capacity Building
- Conducting research on online risks and harms – (Q1–Q2 2025)
- Conducting a training on online harms with 30 child helplines in Zambia after the International Consultation of Child Helplines 2025. (Q2 2025)
- Developing a manual and delivering an online Training of Trainers (ToT) for 30 child helplines. (Q3 2025-Q1 2026)
- Child helplines to deliver cascade trainings with their teams, using the Training Manual. (Q1 2026–Q2 2026)
- Establishing a Community of Practice for knowledge sharing among child helplines. (Q1 2026–Q2 2026)
Awareness and Advocacy
- Child helplines conducting a national public awareness campaign to educate children and caregivers, policymakers and partners about child helpline services for online safety. (Q3 2026–Q1 2027)
- Child Helpline International to engage regional and international partners to strengthen recognition of child helplines as key services to protect children online. (Q2 2026–Q4 2026)