ECPAT / Speaking up for change — Children’s and caregivers’ voices for safer online experiences
https://ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/VOICE_Report.pdf
In today’s rapidÂly evolvÂing digÂiÂtal landÂscape, ensurÂing the safeÂty and well-being of chilÂdren online is paraÂmount. HowÂevÂer, achievÂing this goal requires more than just impleÂmentÂing topÂdown poliÂcies and techÂnoÂlogÂiÂcal soluÂtions, it necesÂsiÂtates a proÂfound underÂstandÂing of children’s expeÂriÂences, perÂspecÂtives, and needs. As laid down by the UN ConÂvenÂtion on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), chilÂdren have the right to have their voicÂes heard and takÂen into account in all poliÂcies affectÂing them. By activeÂly lisÂtenÂing to children’s voicÂes on safeÂty online, we not only empowÂer them as agents of their own develÂopÂment, but we also supÂport more effecÂtive poliÂcies and interÂvenÂtions taiÂlored to their speÂcifÂic needs.
The VOICE project was designed to lisÂten, to underÂstand, and bring the views of chilÂdren and caregivers1 into the polÂiÂcy debate around safeÂty stanÂdards and poliÂcies in digÂiÂtal enviÂronÂments. Through this research, ECPAT InterÂnaÂtionÂal, Eurochild, and Terre des Hommes NetherÂlands, on behalf of the Down to Zero Alliance, engaged in colÂlabÂoÂraÂtive, meanÂingÂful child focus group disÂcusÂsions and the co-creÂation of advoÂcaÂcy mesÂsages with chilÂdren in 15 counÂtries in Europe, Asia, and South America.