Promising Next Steps for EU Tech Policy to Protect Children’s Digital Rights
Last week marked a significant milestone in the EU’s approach to ensuring children’s digital safety, as both the Council and the European Parliament made important decisions that will influence how young people experience online spaces in the years ahead. After years of stalled negotiations, the Council of the European Union reached a joint position on the proposed Child Sexual […]
Recommendations for Strengthening EU Action to Protect Children from Violence
Data-Driven Findings to Inform EU Efforts on Prevention, Detection and Support
Violence remains one of the most common reasons why children and young people contact child helplines. Between 2020 and 2024, child helplines across Europe recorded 1.3 million violence-related counselling contacts, including nearly 80,000 bullying-related contacts in 2024 alone. Technology-facilitated child sexual abuse and exploitation (TF-CSEA) is also rising, with 10,107 contacts in 2024, up from […]
Recommendations for the Improvement of Mental Health of children and young people across Europe
Data from European child helplines
Across Europe, mental health is the leading reason why children and young people contact child helplines. Between 2020 and 2024, child helplines received 2.9 million mental-health-related contacts (39% of all counselling contacts), including more than 1 million linked to fear, anxiety or mood problems, and nearly 700,000 involving self-harm or suicidal thoughts. In 2024 alone, […]
116 111 Turns 18: A Coming of Age for Europe’s Harmonized Child Helpline Number
On 29 October 2007, the European Commission reserved a special number for children across the continent: 116 111. From that moment on, children and young people in Europe had a simple, free-of-charge number they could dial to find help, support and someone who would listen. Over the years, 116 111 has grown into a lifeline […]
Looking Back at IC 2025: Regional Spaces
Earlier this year, the 11th International Consultation of Child Helplines (IC 2025) brought together over 300 participants from around the globe in Livingstone, Zambia, for three days of learning, collaboration and shared commitment to children’s rights. Delegates explored themes such as online safety, mental health support, inclusive services, and the meaningful participation of children and […]
Three Years of War: Listening to Ukraine’s Children
Three years ago today, Russian forces escalated the conflict in Ukraine into a full-scale war. Since then, millions have endured unimaginable hardship. Our hearts are with all those suffering — both in Ukraine and in every corner of the world where conflict continues to destroy lives. Since the beginning of the war, millions of Ukrainian […]
Children & Young People Affected by the War in Ukraine
Child Helpline Data
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, more than 14 million Ukrainian refugees have crossed borders seeking safety. Child helplines across Europe have expanded their services to cater to the needs of these individuals, offering Ukrainian-speaking counselling services. Together with our child helpline members in Ukraine (La Strada), Poland (FDDS), Hungary (Kék Vonal), Slovakia […]
Suzir’ya: Looking Back on an Incredible Journey
As we approach the conclusion of the reporting period for the Suzir’ya: Ukraine Child Trafficking & Core Crime Prevent and Accountability Project, supported by Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), I want to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve shared. This project has showcased the resilience, dedication and collaboration of countless individuals, including child helpline […]
Mental Health, Violence, Relationships: Key Insights from 2023 European Child Helpline Data
As the Secretary General of the Swedish child helpline BRIS, and as the Regional Representative for Europe for Child Helpline International, I have witnessed first-hand the profound impact child helplines can have on the lives of children and young people. In 2023 alone, more than a million children and young people reached out for support […]
Supporting Each Other to Support Ukrainian Children and Young People
2-Day Workshop in Warsaw, Poland
Ukrainian-speaking counsellors from four child helplines – Ukraine’s National Toll-Free Hotline for Children and Youth, Slovakia’s Linka Detskej Istoty, Romania’s Telefonul Copilului 116111 and Poland’s Telefon Zaufania – gathered in Warsaw to share their experiences supporting Ukrainian children and young people. This meeting, part of the Ukrainian Children Voices Phase III project, was funded by […]