INHOPE - Association of Internet Hotline Providers | Meet the INHOPE Board, Robbert Hoving (President)
Article
Hotline & Network Updates

Meet the INHOPE Board, Robbert Hoving (President)

Get to know the people behind INHOPE with our board member spotlight.

Tell us a little about yourself

I began my career in international hospitality before moving to the public prosecutor’s office which sparked my commitment to online safety. After managing logistics during an enormous child sexual abuse material (CSAM) case, I committed myself to protecting children in the digital world. Fifteen years later, I’m honoured to have been chosen by the members for this important role.

I’m married and have two teenage sons. In my free time, I love playing heavy music on my electric guitar (much to the dismay of my family and neighbours), reading, cooking, and spending time with others. I’m also a Krav Maga instructor for kids, teaching resilience offline, as I hope it transfers to the online world.

Why do you think INHOPE is important?

The Second Law of Thermodynamics reminds us that in any system where energy flows, disorder (or entropy) increases—much like the internet today. INHOPE is a vital intervention that counteracts this chaos, particularly in the fight against CSAM. Hotlines reduce harm by removing content, preventing revictimisation, supporting law enforcement in victim identification, and pinpointing where further interventions are needed. INHOPE connects these efforts, creating a network that amplifies each action’s impact, all for the benefit of children and survivors.

Why did you decide to join the Board?

I've dedicated my daily life to the protection of children online, so stepping into this role was an easy decision. The challenges shared at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) reflect the urgency of our work, and my goal is to ensure INHOPE remains stable while continuing to empower its hotlines. By working together, we can keep the collective flame of hope alive, ensuring children are protected and supported globally.

Which experiences from your current role will be most valuable in your Board tenure?

Offlimits is quite a big organisation with almost 50 (amazing and professional) people operating in a vast network of civil society, the public and private sectors. This experience, combined with managing grants and running prevention-focused initiatives like Stop It Now, gives me a well-rounded perspective. I also bring a service-oriented mindset from my hospitality background, ensuring INHOPE’s members receive the support they need to thrive.

What do you consider the greatest challenges and opportunities for the network?

The greatest opportunity lies in INHOPE’s wealth of knowledge, experience, and partnerships—assets that can drive stability and growth. The challenge is ensuring financial sustainability to maintain and expand the critical work of its member hotlines.

What's your vision for the future of child online safety?

Every child, everywhere, should receive the same foundational education, knowledge, and skills to build resilience while growing up online. This is essential not only to prevent them from becoming victims but also to ensure they do not become perpetrators—a concern we see reflected in young people who contact Stop It Now after being exposed to CSAM. Early exposure to harmful content desensitises young people and can cause a desire to look for increasingly extreme material like CSAM. Addressing this issue is a vital part of the broader interventions required to mitigate the chaos of the internet and its impact on young people. When things do go wrong, support must be swift and effective.

Meet the INHOPE Board, Robbert Hoving (President)

'

Every child, everywhere, should receive the same foundational education, knowledge, and skills to build resilience while growing up online.

'