The International Federation for Digital Citizenship (IFDC) launched its Online Child Protection Ambassador Program with its inaugural virtual session on January 25, 2025. The session, which ran from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM, attracted 121 participants, all committed to exploring strategies for safeguarding children in digital spaces. Ms. Thushana Sathasivam facilitated the first session.
Session Led by Pratishtha Arora
The first session was conducted by Ms. Pratishtha Arora, the CEO of Social & Media Matters (S&MM) and a leading expert in Gender Studies. Ms. Arora has been involved in developing community-specific frameworks and training modules that address online safety and inclusivity. Her work focuses on the intersections between gender and technology and aims to promote safer digital environments for children and young people.
The session, titled “Understanding Online Child Sexual Abuse and Prevention Strategies,” explored key issues related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM), online grooming, and the role of trusted adults in preventing online abuse. It offered insights into the psychological effects of online abuse and highlighted strategies for mitigating its impact.
Challenges of Protecting Children in the Digital Age
As internet use grows, particularly among children and adolescents, ensuring their safety online is increasingly challenging. Issues such as Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV), sexual exploitation, and CSAM are of particular concern. With the rise of social media, messaging platforms, and other digital spaces, there is a pressing need to address these risks and implement effective prevention strategies.
A comprehensive approach, involving policymakers, educators, community leaders, and parents, is necessary to address these concerns effectively. It is essential to focus on education, trust, and proactive safety measures as central components of a strategy to protect children online.
The Role of Parents
A critical step in ensuring online safety for children is educating parents about the risks children face in the digital world. While many parents recognize dangers like cyberbullying and inappropriate content, fewer are aware of the risks associated with oversharing personal information or images online. Sharing pictures or videos of children on social media is common, but it can expose children to online threats, especially when such content is shared publicly or with unfamiliar individuals.
Parents need to understand the potential risks of oversharing, particularly images or videos that show children in private or vulnerable moments. These seemingly innocent posts can be misused by harmful actors online. Educating parents on how to protect their children’s privacy and recognizing the dangers of public oversharing is crucial for minimizing these risks.
Introducing the concept of a child’s “private sphere”—areas of life that should remain confidential—is important for parents to understand. By recognizing what is appropriate to share and what should remain private, parents can better protect their children’s digital presence and reduce the likelihood of exploitation.
Building Trust with Children
Equally important is the role of trusted adults in building trusting relationships with children. One of the barriers to addressing online abuse is that children may be reluctant to report uncomfortable or harmful online experiences due to fear of judgment or consequences.
Creating safe spaces for children to express their concerns is essential. Educators, community leaders, and parents must assure children that their safety and well-being are the primary concern and that they can safely report any incidents of online abuse. Open, non-judgmental communication is key to making children feel comfortable in sharing their experiences.
Confidential reporting mechanisms—such as hotlines, school counselors, or online reporting systems—can provide additional ways for children to seek help in a confidential manner. This can be particularly helpful in environments where children may fear the repercussions of reporting abuse openly.
Overcoming Parental Barriers
Parents sometimes hesitate to report online abuse due to concerns over family reputation or the fear that it could harm their child’s image. These concerns can prevent children from seeking help or reporting abuse, especially in cultures where social reputation is highly valued.
It is important to have discussions with parents that emphasize the long-term impact of keeping abuse secret. The psychological and emotional toll of abuse can be more harmful if it is not addressed early. Parents should be reassured that their child’s safety is paramount and that reporting abuse can prevent further harm.
Encouraging parents to recognize signs of distress in children—such as anxiety, social withdrawal, or behavioral changes—can help them identify when their child may be struggling with an online abuse incident. Parents should also be provided with tools to support their children emotionally and guide them through the recovery process.
Empowering Children with Digital Rights
In addition to educating parents, it is important to empower children with knowledge about their digital rights and personal boundaries. Teaching children about consent, privacy, and the importance of respecting boundaries online can help them make informed decisions about what they share and with whom.
For younger children, lessons can be basic, such as teaching them that “No means no” when it comes to personal space and interactions. As children grow older, more complex issues—such as the risks of oversharing personal information and recognizing online grooming—should be addressed.
Teaching children how to protect their privacy, identify inappropriate behaviors, and assert their boundaries online can help prevent many forms of online exploitation.
Collaboration for Effective Protection
Creating a safe digital environment for children requires cooperation from multiple sectors, including governments, educational institutions, NGOs, and digital platforms. Public awareness campaigns about the dangers of online abuse and the importance of privacy can help shift societal attitudes and promote safer online behaviors.
Digital platforms must also prioritize child safety features such as content moderation, reporting mechanisms, and age verification systems. Governments can support these efforts by enforcing policies that address online abuse and provide accountability for perpetrators while supporting victims.
Conclusion
The protection of children in the digital world is a multifaceted issue that requires a coordinated approach. Educating parents, fostering trust with children, and empowering both groups with knowledge about online safety and digital rights are essential to mitigating risks. Collaboration between policymakers, digital platforms, NGOs, and communities is necessary to create a safer digital environment for children.
By focusing on proactive measures and continuous education, we can work towards ensuring that children are equipped to navigate the digital world safely, while being protected from the dangers that may exist online.
About IFDC: The International Federation for Digital Citizenship (IFDC) is dedicated to advancing digital literacy, online child protection, and digital rights. Through its initiatives, including the Online Child Protection Ambassador Program, IFDC seeks to empower individuals, organizations, and communities to advocate for safer, more inclusive digital environments. The work of IFDC continues to be critical in addressing the evolving challenges of digital rights and online safety for children and vulnerable groups.
By Ms. Ahalya David, A Freelance Journalist.