Middlesex University

Our grantees

Middlesex University

Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children

Countries involved:
United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

We know that online child sexual abuse material is highly damaging to children. But today, little primary research exists about the impact such material has on content moderators – individuals who are charged with constantly surveilling and removing traumatic images and videos of child sexual abuse.

Through this project, researchers at Middlesex University, in collaboration with INHOPE and other sectors specific organisations, will explore and quantify the issues facing content moderators, specifically as it relates to their exposure of traumatic child sexual abuse material. They will also identify coping strategies currently used by content moderators, and highlight what works – and what does not work – for individuals and organisations that do this work. Results of this study will be used to develop a pilot intervention to support and protect the mental health of content moderators.

Learn more about Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund and the Advisory Group of experts who have collaborated to guide this work.

Grant timeline:
October 2021 – June 2023

Grantee website:
www.mdx.ac.uk

Funding amount:
$137,685

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Suojellaan Lapsia Ry 2

Our grantees Suojellaan Lapsia Ry Primary Prevention to Protect Children: Offender-focused prevention of online sexual violence against children Countries involved:Finland Suojellaan Lapsia Ry will develop

EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:Thailand Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online

University of Kent

Our grantees University of Kent Understanding and Improving Help-seeking by People at Risk of Perpetrating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Countries involved:United Kingdom of

INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) 2

Our grantees INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:France Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child

Technological University Dublin

Our grantees Technological University Dublin N-light: An Innovative Application to Uncover Patterns of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Through National Helpline and Hotline Analysis of Caseloads

Middlesex University

Our grantees Middlesex University Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children Countries involved:United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland We know that online

DeafKidz International

Our grantees

DeafKidz International

DeafKidz Defenders Project

Countries involved:
United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

DeafKidz International will develop DeafKidz Defenders, an interactive, accessible digital platform to help deaf children stay safe from online abuse and exploitation. Through educational games, children will learn to protect themselves from online risks, exploring what an inappropriate chat conversation might look like, the warning signs of abusers, and more. This game will reduce children’s vulnerability to exploitation while also promoting their resilience and self-advocacy. This project will be implemented in South Africa and Pakistan

Grant timeline:
September 2020 – December 2022

Grantee website:
deafkidzinternational.org

Funding amount:
$657,138

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Suojellaan Lapsia Ry 2

Our grantees Suojellaan Lapsia Ry Primary Prevention to Protect Children: Offender-focused prevention of online sexual violence against children Countries involved:Finland Suojellaan Lapsia Ry will develop

EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:Thailand Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online

University of Kent

Our grantees University of Kent Understanding and Improving Help-seeking by People at Risk of Perpetrating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Countries involved:United Kingdom of

INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) 2

Our grantees INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:France Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child

Technological University Dublin

Our grantees Technological University Dublin N-light: An Innovative Application to Uncover Patterns of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Through National Helpline and Hotline Analysis of Caseloads

Middlesex University

Our grantees Middlesex University Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children Countries involved:United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland We know that online

5rights Foundation

Our grantees

5rights Foundation

Creation of a Global Child Online Protection Policy Handbook

Countries involved:
October 2017 – October 2019

5Rights Foundation is creating a Global Policy Handbook that outlines the steps needed to develop the cultural, technical and legal conditions to ensure the protection of children online. Specifically, the Handbook will offer the necessary roadmaps, signposts, and examples of good practices to bring the Model National Response to life and to address knowledge gaps in relation to child online protection.

The project is expected to be completed in 15 months and will include country-level consultations in Albania, Ghana, Jordan, Peru and Vietnam, countries where the Fund has made various investments to tackle online child sexual exploitation and abuse. It also builds on the Fund’s previous successful investment in Rwanda via 5Rights Foundation and the University of East London to develop a child online protection policy and implementation plan, which was passed by the Rwandan government in June 2019. 

Grant timeline:
March 2020 – May 2022

Grantee website:
5rightsfoundation.com

Funding amount:
$700,046

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Suojellaan Lapsia Ry 2

Our grantees Suojellaan Lapsia Ry Primary Prevention to Protect Children: Offender-focused prevention of online sexual violence against children Countries involved:Finland Suojellaan Lapsia Ry will develop

EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:Thailand Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online

University of Kent

Our grantees University of Kent Understanding and Improving Help-seeking by People at Risk of Perpetrating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Countries involved:United Kingdom of

INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) 2

Our grantees INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:France Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child

Technological University Dublin

Our grantees Technological University Dublin N-light: An Innovative Application to Uncover Patterns of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Through National Helpline and Hotline Analysis of Caseloads

Middlesex University

Our grantees Middlesex University Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children Countries involved:United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland We know that online

Marie Collins Foundation

Our grantees

Marie Collins Foundation

The Global Protection Online Network

With support from the Fund, the Marie Collins Foundation is rolling out a global online resource, the Global Protection Online Network, to help practitioners improve their service response for victims of online violence. Within this platform, members can access relevant materials, templates and research documents to strengthen their programmes around online violence; they will also have access to a digital “help desk.”

By December of 2019, all safeguarding professionals around the world will be able to access this resource. In addition, the Foundation will design and implement a pilot in Vietnam, developing a programme to build national infrastructure and as such, better respond to the needs of children that have been exploited or abused online.

Grant timeline:
March 2019 – January 2024

Grantee website:
www.mariecollinsfoundation.org.uk

Funding amount:
$839,062

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Suojellaan Lapsia Ry 2

Our grantees Suojellaan Lapsia Ry Primary Prevention to Protect Children: Offender-focused prevention of online sexual violence against children Countries involved:Finland Suojellaan Lapsia Ry will develop

EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:Thailand Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online

University of Kent

Our grantees University of Kent Understanding and Improving Help-seeking by People at Risk of Perpetrating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Countries involved:United Kingdom of

INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) 2

Our grantees INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:France Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child

Technological University Dublin

Our grantees Technological University Dublin N-light: An Innovative Application to Uncover Patterns of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Through National Helpline and Hotline Analysis of Caseloads

Middlesex University

Our grantees Middlesex University Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children Countries involved:United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland We know that online

UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees

UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti (Disrupting Harm)

Evidence From 14 Countries on the Context, Threats, and Children’s Perspectives of Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

Countries involved:
Italy

Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child sexual exploitation and abuse across the world. This study is assessing the scale, nature and context of this issue in 14 countries across Southern and Eastern Africa and Southeast Asia. Supported by the Fund, three grantee partners will work together to conduct the study, including ECPAT InternationalINTERPOL and the UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti. UNICEF’s role is o conduct nationally-representative household surveys with approximately 1,000 children and 1,000 of their parents/caregivers in each of the 14 partner countries, together with UNICEF Country Offices.

Learn more about Disrupting Harm by visiting the project’s dedicated webpage.

The role of UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti

UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti will seek to better understand the perspectives of children through nationally representative household surveys from 1,000 children and 1,000 caretakers in each project country. By speaking to children directly, UNICEF aims to gain deeper understanding of children’s experiences of online violence within the larger context of their general internet use. 

The Office of Research – Innocenti is UNICEF’s dedicated research centre. The Office works closely with UNICEF and other external academic and research institutions to undertake cutting-edge, policy-relevant research that equips the organisation and the wider global community to deliver results for children. As part of UNICEF, the Office works with national offices and governments in more than 150 countries around the world. 

For more information, read the disrupting harm project brief in English. The project brief is also available in the following languages:

Khmer   Vietnamese  Bahasa Indonesia      Thai Portuguese

Grant timeline:
February 2019 – September 2022

Grantee website:
www.unicef-irc.org

Funding amount:
$2,529,270

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Suojellaan Lapsia Ry 2

Our grantees Suojellaan Lapsia Ry Primary Prevention to Protect Children: Offender-focused prevention of online sexual violence against children Countries involved:Finland Suojellaan Lapsia Ry will develop

EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:Thailand Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online

University of Kent

Our grantees University of Kent Understanding and Improving Help-seeking by People at Risk of Perpetrating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Countries involved:United Kingdom of

INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) 2

Our grantees INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:France Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child

Technological University Dublin

Our grantees Technological University Dublin N-light: An Innovative Application to Uncover Patterns of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Through National Helpline and Hotline Analysis of Caseloads

Middlesex University

Our grantees Middlesex University Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children Countries involved:United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland We know that online

EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees

ECPAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Evidence From 14 Countries on the Context, Threats, and Children’s Perspectives of Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

Countries involved:
Thailand

Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child sexual exploitation and abuse across the world. This study is assessing the scale, nature and context of this issue in 14 countries across Southern and Eastern Africa and Southeast Asia. Supported by the Fund, three grantee partners will work together to conduct the study, including ECPAT InternationalINTERPOL and the UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti. UNICEF’s role is o conduct nationally-representative household surveys with approximately 1,000 children and 1,000 of their parents/caregivers in each of the 14 partner countries, together with UNICEF Country Offices.

Learn more about Disrupting Harm by visiting the project’s dedicated webpage.

The role of EPCAT International

ECPAT International will conduct a comprehensive analysis of the existing research, legislation, policy, and systems addressing online child sexual exploitation and abuse in the 14 project countries. They will also collect relevant data through in-depth interviews with senior duty-bearers and governments; deliver face to face surveys with national welfare staff; interview caregivers, parents and justice stakeholders to assess the access to justice in each country; gather information from national hotlines and helplines; engage with the organisations operating in the tech and digital space; and interview survivors of sexual abuse and exploitation. 

ECPAT International is a global network of 121 child rights organisations across more than 100 countries. Since the 1990s, ECPAT has worked to end all forms of sexual exploitation of children; through prostitution; trafficking; child, early and forced marriage, online and in the context of travel and tourism. The ECPAT International Secretariat is based in Bangkok, Thailand, and advocates for stronger legal protection of children; raise awareness about the issue; partners with the private sector to prevent their services from being misused to harm children; conducts research to better understand the crime, and create space for children to access their rights.  

For more information, read the disrupting harm project brief in English. The project brief is also available in the following languages:

Khmer   Vietnamese  Bahasa Indonesia      Thai Portuguese

Grant timeline:
February 2019 – September 2021

Grantee website:
www.ecpat.org

Funding amount:
$2,681,728

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Suojellaan Lapsia Ry 2

Our grantees Suojellaan Lapsia Ry Primary Prevention to Protect Children: Offender-focused prevention of online sexual violence against children Countries involved:Finland Suojellaan Lapsia Ry will develop

EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:Thailand Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online

University of Kent

Our grantees University of Kent Understanding and Improving Help-seeking by People at Risk of Perpetrating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Countries involved:United Kingdom of

INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) 2

Our grantees INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:France Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child

Technological University Dublin

Our grantees Technological University Dublin N-light: An Innovative Application to Uncover Patterns of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Through National Helpline and Hotline Analysis of Caseloads

Middlesex University

Our grantees Middlesex University Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children Countries involved:United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland We know that online

UNICEF Child Protection Programme Division

Our grantees

UNICEF Child Protection Programme Division

Global Programme to Build Capacity to Address Online Child Sexual Exploitation

Countries involved:
United States of America

With support from the Fund, the UNICEF Child Protection Programme Division is working with a wide range of partners at the national, regional and global levels with support of UNICEF country offices. Together, these actors are working to end online child sexual exploitation and abuse in 34 target countries in seven regions. The project’s goals include:

    • Increasing government commitment to preventing and responding to child sexual exploitation and abuse through global advocacy, including pushing forward the Model National Response of the WePROTECT Global Alliance. In addition, UNICEF is supporting the WeProtect Global Alliance as an advisory board member. 
    • Supporting governments to adapt comprehensive responsive mechanisms in-line with the WePROTECT Global Alliance’s Model National Response approach, which helps countries build their response to online child sexual exploitation and abuse. This is being done through workshops and webinars with key stakeholders, along with an accessible, available roster of experts with specific expertise on the Model National Response.
    • Documenting the implementation of the Model National Response around the world.
    • Contributing to the generation of evidence and use of evidence-based programming related to online child sexual exploitation and abuse.
    • Increasing collaboration between governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organisations, and ensuring they exchange knowledge and learnings about online child sexual exploitation prevention and response.
    • Boosting the skills and knowledge of children and caregivers to prevent online child sexual exploitation and abuse risks through the #ReplyforALL platform and others. These platforms provide educational resources for children on online safety, among other activities.
    • Supporting the coordination and effective participation of national delegates at the WePROTECT Global Summit in collaboration with UNICEF field offices.

In addition, the project is advocating with governments and supporting the realization of national commitments via the WePROTECT Statement of Action, which outlines what countries and organisations can do to stop those who use the Internet for sexual exploitation of children. UNICEF is also working alongside the information, communications and technology sectors in target countries, attempting to inform their policy and enhance their capacity to address online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Grant timeline:
March 2018 – February 2022

Grantee website:
www.unicef.org

Funding amount:
$1,364,250

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Suojellaan Lapsia Ry 2

Our grantees Suojellaan Lapsia Ry Primary Prevention to Protect Children: Offender-focused prevention of online sexual violence against children Countries involved:Finland Suojellaan Lapsia Ry will develop

EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:Thailand Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online

University of Kent

Our grantees University of Kent Understanding and Improving Help-seeking by People at Risk of Perpetrating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Countries involved:United Kingdom of

INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) 2

Our grantees INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:France Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child

Technological University Dublin

Our grantees Technological University Dublin N-light: An Innovative Application to Uncover Patterns of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Through National Helpline and Hotline Analysis of Caseloads

Middlesex University

Our grantees Middlesex University Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children Countries involved:United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland We know that online

International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children & Child Helpline International

Our grantees

International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children & Child Helpline International

Implementing the Model National Response Collaborative Approach to Combat Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Five Countries

Countries involved:
Jordan, Kenya, Peru, Tanzania, Philippines

In addition, the project is creating eLearning modules, which will ensure continuous learning for everyone, everywhere, within the target countries. Importantly, the project is also improving the services of child helplines in each country, ensuring individuals working at helpline agencies are equipped to deal with online child sexual exploitation and abuse issues and are able to provide proper referrals to authorities and care centres.

Grant timeline:
October 2017 – October 2019

Grantee website:
www.icmec.org

Funding amount:
$855,406

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Suojellaan Lapsia Ry 2

Our grantees Suojellaan Lapsia Ry Primary Prevention to Protect Children: Offender-focused prevention of online sexual violence against children Countries involved:Finland Suojellaan Lapsia Ry will develop

EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:Thailand Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online

University of Kent

Our grantees University of Kent Understanding and Improving Help-seeking by People at Risk of Perpetrating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Countries involved:United Kingdom of

INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) 2

Our grantees INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:France Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child

Technological University Dublin

Our grantees Technological University Dublin N-light: An Innovative Application to Uncover Patterns of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Through National Helpline and Hotline Analysis of Caseloads

Middlesex University

Our grantees Middlesex University Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children Countries involved:United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland We know that online

Child Rescue Coalition

Our grantees

Child Rescue Coalition

Project Nemesis: Justice Through Technology

Countries involved:
United States of America

Child Rescue Coalition will implement Project NEMESIS: Justice Through Technology, to automate the handling of evidence – including chat logs, data and videos – for live streaming abuse cases. Because mobile applications are often used to share CSAM and groom children, this solution will also help collect data against suspects with a sexual interest in children. Through this project, Child Rescue Coalition will help law enforcement design a secure interface to rescue more children and identify more offenders. Headquartered in the United States, this project has a global reach.

In June 2022, Thorn was granted $750,000 for their new project which fuels Thorn’s collaboration with key trusted partners, empowers investigators worldwide with the critical information they need to identify child victims faster than ever before.

Grant timeline:
September 2020 – September 2022 ($750,000) / 1 Jun 2022 – 31 May 2024 ($750,000)

Grantee website:
www.thorn.org

Funding amount:
$1,500,000

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Suojellaan Lapsia Ry 2

Our grantees Suojellaan Lapsia Ry Primary Prevention to Protect Children: Offender-focused prevention of online sexual violence against children Countries involved:Finland Suojellaan Lapsia Ry will develop

EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:Thailand Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online

University of Kent

Our grantees University of Kent Understanding and Improving Help-seeking by People at Risk of Perpetrating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Countries involved:United Kingdom of

INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) 2

Our grantees INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:France Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child

Technological University Dublin

Our grantees Technological University Dublin N-light: An Innovative Application to Uncover Patterns of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Through National Helpline and Hotline Analysis of Caseloads

Middlesex University

Our grantees Middlesex University Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children Countries involved:United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland We know that online

Thorn 2

Our grantees

Thorn

Global CSAM Classifier Development Program

Countries involved:
United States of America

Supported by Safe Online’s investments, Thorn has accelerated the development of their artificial intelligence classifiers, which are working to automate the detection of CSAM. Through this project, Thorn aimed to create a global standard for labelling, connecting and organising the world’s data to help to identify victims faster – and ultimately, to stop the viral spread of CSAM across the globe. Headquartered in the United States, this project has a global reach. 

In June 2022, Thorn was granted $750,000 for their new project which fuels Thorn’s collaboration with key trusted partners, empowers investigators worldwide with the critical information they need to identify child victims faster than ever before.

Grant timeline:
October 2020 – July 2023 ($750,000) / June 2022 – June 2024 ($750,000)

Grantee website:
www.thorn.org

Funding amount:
$950,000

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Suojellaan Lapsia Ry 2

Our grantees Suojellaan Lapsia Ry Primary Prevention to Protect Children: Offender-focused prevention of online sexual violence against children Countries involved:Finland Suojellaan Lapsia Ry will develop

EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm)

Our grantees EPCAT International (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:Thailand Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online

University of Kent

Our grantees University of Kent Understanding and Improving Help-seeking by People at Risk of Perpetrating Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Countries involved:United Kingdom of

INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) 2

Our grantees INTERPOL (Disrupting Harm) Disrupting Harm 2 Countries involved:France Disrupting Harm is a large-scale data collection and research project to better understand online child

Technological University Dublin

Our grantees Technological University Dublin N-light: An Innovative Application to Uncover Patterns of Online Child Sexual Exploitation Through National Helpline and Hotline Analysis of Caseloads

Middlesex University

Our grantees Middlesex University Invisible Risks: Combating Secondary Trauma to Safeguard Children Countries involved:United Kindgom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland We know that online

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Our purpose in detail

We are here to ensure every child and young person grows in to the digital world feeling safe, and is protected from harm.

We support, champion, and invest in innovative partners from the public, private, and third sectors working towards the same objective.

We believe in equipping guardians and young people with the skills to understand and see danger themselves once accessing digital experiences without supervision.

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