Helplines are a critical resource for youth, parents and guardians seeking confidential advice on topics related to digital safety. 58% of hotlines within the INHOPE network, are also part of the Insafe network and operate as Safer Internet Centres. These typically include not only a reporting hotline but a national awareness centre and a helpline to support children, young people and parents in dealing with online safety issues.
Helplines' support services are essential for young people, especially for those without a trusted adult in their life. Last year alone, between October and December the Safer Internet Centre network reported over 18.000 helpline contacts, 61% of which came from teenagers between twelve and eighteen years old. Around 7% of contacts come from children younger than twelve, which highlights how early some children encounter challenges online. Young people in need of support or advice can contact helplines for a variety of reasons related to online safety issues such as harmful content, harmful contact (such as grooming), or harmful conduct (such as cyberbullying or sexting). Contacts relating to cyberbullying or sexting, sextortion and online sexual harassment are the most common across the SIC network.
Teaching children how to stay safe and where to seek help online, is just as important as teaching them how to be safe offline. The Better Internet for Kids website offers an overview of various helpline contacts across European countries. But many children won't know to look for those resources online, especially in times of crisis or a state of distress. Our educational systems must provide young people with the necessary information on where and how they can contact their national helplines. Every young person using the internet has to know where to seek support in case a critical situation arises.
Young people make up the majority of helpline contacts, but they are not the only ones who can seek support and guidance through a helpline. Research published by the UK Safer Internet Centre revealed that 36% of surveyed parents are unsure where to go should they need support concerning digital safety issues. And the latest helpline trends published by the Insafe network showed that parents accounted for almost a quarter of all helpline contacts between October and December last year. Helplines can provide guidance to parents struggling with topics related to harmful content, conduct and contact but can also assist them in supporting their children when they struggle with similar issues. Furthermore, parents can seek advice on how to appropriately talk to their children about risks online, and teach them how to safely navigate the internet.
Helplines and Hotlines are essential in supporting victims and survivors of abuse. However, they operate very differently and should be contacted for different reasons.
Helplines
Hotlines
Hotlines and helplines serve different purposes, but both of them are essential in protecting and supporting young people, parents and guardians. May 17th is International Child Helpline Day, on which we celebrate and recognise the importance of national helplines around the world. Everyone, regardless of age or digital literacy should know where and how they can seek support in a time of crisis.
Safer Internet Day would not be possible without the support of the European Union. Currently, the funding is provided by the Connecting Europe Facility programme (CEF). In the future, actions will be funded through the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL). Find out more about the European Commission’s new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+) on the EC website.
