According to recent studies, Ukrainian children are starting to use the internet actively from the age of five, spending at least one hour daily online. This figure increases significantly among teenagers, with 79% spending over three hours a day on the internet. Such widespread engagement calls for a focused approach to child safety in the digital realm.
To combat cyberbullying, fraud, and inappropriate content, Ukraine has launched the 'Safer Internet Center'. This initiative has been implemented with the support of NGOs like 'Magnolia', 'La Strada-Ukraine', and 'Docudays'.
The Center operates in three main areas:
StopCrime Hotline
This hotline accepts reports regarding online sexual abuse materials involving children, facilitates their blocking, investigation, and collaborates with the international INHOPE network. The StopCrime project has been created with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Diya.Education, and the Cyber Police Department to combat online violence against children and assist in investigating such crimes.
Support Line for Children and Youth 116111
The national hotline provides psychological and legal assistance to children who have become victims of online violence or faced other internet threats.
Educational Activities
The Center conducts informational campaigns for children, parents, educators, law enforcement officers, and anyone interested in learning more about digital hygiene.
Safer Internet Centers are a common practice in EU countries, supported within the Insafe network and the Better Internet for Kids strategy. The Ministry of Digital Transformation collaborates with European partners to create a safe space for children in the digital environment and provide new opportunities to protect the rights of citizens online, available in most EU countries and now implemented in Ukraine.
Learn about safe online behavior rules on the Safer Internet Center platform and engage in interactive simulators on Diya.Education to prevent fraud and criminal activities.