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Category: Our blog

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Winners of the 2024 Safe Online funding call

Safe Online awards $6.7 million to 20 new grantees to advance innovative and high-impact solutions to fight online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA).

In response to the escalating risks children face in the digital world, Safe Online launched a global call for proposals in 2024 to identify and support the most promising solutions.  

Following a rigorous selection process from a pool of over 300 applications, 20 grantees have been selected to receive a combined USD 6.7 million in funding – USD 1.7 million more than originally allocated. This significant increase reflects the urgent, growing need to strengthen global efforts to protect children from digital harms. These new projects, from across the world, are designed to deliver maximum impact where it’s needed most

Additionally, recognizing the overwhelming demand and immense needs in the ecosystem, Safe Online is increasing our initial investment of 6.7 million by an additional 8.5 million bringing the total investments for the period 2024-2026 to USD 15 million. This expanded funding will enable us to support more high-impact initiatives and scale up global efforts to create a safe digital future for children

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grantees selected

The 20 initiatives announced today represent the first cohort selected through the 2024 Open Call. More projects will be launched in the second half of 2025 and early 2026 through a targeted, invitation-only process, designed to address emerging needs and fill critical strategic gaps. 

Our 20 new grantees were selected for their strong focus on innovation and potential for high impact. Each project demonstrates the ability to create new pathways for change and push the boundaries beyond what currently exists. In addition, the selection process prioritized proposals with clear potential for scalability and long-term sustainability, as well as those offering solutions that are interoperable and applicable across different systems and use cases. 

Grantees include international organisations, child protection NGOs and CSOs, research, and academic institutions and tech start-ups and include a range of path-breaking projects. 

Read more on the new projects here

New projects under the ‘Networks and Systems’ pillar will build the foundations of the ecosystem by formalizing mental health care models for frontline professionals working on online CSEA, transforming the response to Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) by testing a new model for survivors’ support, pioneering early intervention strategies to prevent CSAM by targeting individuals at risk of offending and addressing critical gaps in digital regulation enforcement by developing a fair and sustainable redress standard through the child-inclusive, collaborative COR Sandbox.   

Projects under the ‘Research and Data’ pillar will generate new evidence and data through  child-centric, participatory action research to understand children’s vulnerability to online risks, especially related to non-consensual sharing of private images; online coercion and AI and understand emerging forms of image-based sexual violence against children by exploring experiences of survivors, their parents or caregivers, law enforcement officers, and professionals working with children.

Projects under the ‘Tech Tools’ pillar will design, test, and develop technology solutions that contribute to the broader ecosystem and promote tools that are shareable, adaptable, and enhance efficiency in online CSEA prevention and response efforts. These projects include prototype tools for generating semantic hashes to help law enforcement and trust and safety teams more accurately identify new CSAM; systems to disrupt payments made by offshore offenders to facilitators ; and an automated AI evaluation platform, specialized in assessing CSEA risks, designed to help organizations evaluate the trust and safety risks of their AI models. 

This latest investment grows Safe Online’s investment portfolio to USD 100 million with impact in over 100 countries and accelerates Safe Online’s globally important role as a catalyst for innovative and scalable solutions to combat digital harms.   

“The response to our 2024 Open Call highlights both the urgency of the crisis and the innovation emerging across sectors. We’re proud to award $6.7M to 20 outstanding grantees - each advancing transformative solutions in the fight against online child sexual exploitation and abuse. With an additional funding of 8.5 million, we are bringing the total funding for 2024–2026 to $15 million and are doubling down on our commitment to scale the most promising ideas for children’s digital safety worldwide“
Marija Manojlovic
Marija ManojlovicExecutive Director, Safe Online
Read more on the new projects here
See more of our recent updates

UNICEF Dominican Republic & Plan International Dominican Republic

January 10, 2024

Our grantees UNICEF Dominican Republic & Plan International Dominican Republic Protecting Every Child Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Countries involved:October 2017 – October 2019 In the Dominican Republic, UNICEF Dominican Republic and Plan International Dominican Republic have teamed up to establish and implement the country’s national response board, which is charged with coordinating initaitives that prevent

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UNICEF Ghana

January 10, 2024

Our grantees UNICEF Ghana Protecting children from online CSEA in Ghana Countries involved:May 2023 – May 2025 UNICEF Ghana is using support from the Fund to develop a National Plan of Action to tackle online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The agency is also working closely with the National Cybersecurity Crime

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Suojellaan Lapsia Ry 2

January 9, 2024

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 and launch ReDirection, an evidence-based self-help programme working to prevent the consumption of CSAM on the Dark Web. By providing targeted support for these individuals, the

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Narrative-driven case studies

Exciting Opportunity!

Safe Online is looking for an agency to conduct in-depth, narrative-driven case studies in the Global South that highlight best practices, enablers, and lessons learned in achieving systemic responses to online CSEA!

This work is part of Safe Online’s broader evidence and learning agenda, aimed at generating actionable, context-rich insights to inform programming, policy, advocacy, and investment in this space. 

Objective

The key objectives of this work include:

  1. Exploring how national-level systemic responses to online CSEA have emerged, adapted, and scaled;
  2. Identifying enablers, challenges, and change pathways;
  3. Highlighting multi-sector collaboration and survivor- and child-centred strategies.
  4. Contribute to cross-country learning and global knowledge generation.

This is not a standardised case study process. We are looking for a learning-focused, participatory approach that goes beyond documentation and instead supports reflective insight generation. The case studies will be complemented by communication products tailored to a range of audiences—donors, policymakers, practitioners, and advocates—including briefs, visual storytelling formats, and presentations for high-level dissemination.

Read the full Terms of Reference here

Key steps

1. Terms of Reference

Read the full Terms of Reference here

Click here

2. Register as a supplier

Register as a supplier on the United Nations Global Market

Click here

3. Please log-in

Once the registration is complete, please log-in via this link with your e-mail address and password

Click here

4. Procurement Opportunities

Select the tab ‘Procurement Opportunities’, and search for this Tender with this reference: RFPS-NYH-2025-503831

5. Express Interest

Select ‘Express Interest’ to access the key documents to submit a proposal.

6. Join the Pre-bid Conference

Join the Pre-bid Conference on 20 May 2025. You will have access to the link to join after you have completed steps 2-5.

7. Ask questions

Ask questions via the ‘correspondence tab’ no later than 22 May 2025.

8. E-submission instructions

Refer to the e-submission instructions for more information on how to upload your proposal.

Click here

Key tips

1. Signature Required

Make sure the technical proposal is signed if not it will be automatically discarded

2. No Financial Info

Make sure to not include information on financials in the technical proposal. If not, it will be disqualified.

3. Follow Evaluation Criteria

Refer to the evaluation criteria and include key experts’ CVs.

Key dates

Deadline to submit applications: 4 July 2025, 15:00 Central European Time (CET)

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Press Release: Safe Online Proudly Announces the Launch of the Second Edition of the Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Press Release

Safe Online Proudly Announces the Launch of the Second Edition of the Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

April 3, 2025: Safe Online is proud to announce the launch of the Second Edition of the Terminology Guidelines for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, a comprehensive resource aimed at improving the accuracy, sensitivity, and consistency of language used in the fight against child sexual exploitation and abuse. The updated guidelines will officially launch at a global webinar on April 10, 2025, at 13:00 GMT.

Safe Online proudly participated in the development of the new guidelines, alongside ECPAT, Childlight|Global Child Safety Institute, the WeProtect Global Alliance and a diverse group of global organisations and entities representing different sectors. The updated edition reflects the latest insights and best practices in child protection, offering refined definitions and language to improve how professionals, policymakers, and the media refer to cases of child sexual exploitation and abuse and contribute to ensuring no child is hurt by the words of the professionals they meet. 

Key Updates in the Second Edition 

The Second Edition includes updated definitions and guidance on key terms related to child sexual exploitation and abuse, including: 

  • Avoid victim-blaming language: Encouraging the use of survivor-centred and blame-free language that respects how individuals define their experiences and does not shift the blame on children. 
  • Online Exploitation: Expanded coverage of technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and abuse, including grooming, sexting, and livestreaming. 
  • Perpetrator Language: There are more precise distinctions between adult perpetrators of sexual crimes against children and children who have displayed harmful sexual behaviour. 
  • Harmful Terms: A repeated call to eliminate terms like “child prostitute” and “child pornography”, which misrepresent the nature of the abuse and shift blame onto victims. 

The guidelines also provide greater attention to intersectionality, gender identity, and LGBTQI+ considerations, ensuring that language reflects the diverse realities of child survivors and those at increased risk of sexual exploitation. 

A Collaborative Global Effort 

The updated guidelines were developed through an extensive collaborative process involving over 40 global organisations, including survivor advocates, legal experts, and child protection professionals. The Interagency Working Group combined diverse expertise and perspectives to create a globally relevant and adaptable resource that reflects the evolving nature of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Download the Guidelines
See more of our recent updates

World Health Organization

January 9, 2024

Our grantees World Health Organization What Works to Prevent and Respond to Child Online Abuse Countries involved:Switzerland The World Health Organisation is using the Fund to explore current systems of prevention and response to online child sexual exploitation and abuse. These findings will support governments and civil society organisations, giving them the

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Safe Online Network Forum Latin America & the Caribbean

January 15, 2025

As 2024 comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on a year marked by both immense challenges and significant opportunities in safeguarding children in an increasingly digital world. The rapid evolution of technologies—such as Generative AI and extended reality platforms—has reshaped our digital landscape, offering immense potential but also exacerbating the risks children face online. While these technological advancements promise to change lives for the better, they also outpace our collective ability to protect children from harm, presenting critical questions about how we mobilize the necessary resources to respond.

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Zana Africa

January 10, 2024

Our grantees Zana Africa Understanding Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children With Intellectual Disabilities in Kenya Countries involved:Kenya Children and young people in general can be vulnerable online. But unfortunately, the risk can be more profound for those with an intellectual disability. While there are positive benefits of online

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Safe Online Network Forum Latin America & the Caribbean

Tuesday 5 November 2024, Bogota, Colombia
Building bridges to tackle online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation 

Safe Online grantees and implementing partners working across the Latin America and Caribbean region connected for reflection and learning on November 5, 2024, as part of the Safe Online Regional Network Forum. The Forum brought together 20 experts representing  20 grantees and partners working in the region and beyond with a particular focus in nine countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Jamaica, Mexico and Peru) representing seven NGOs, six International NGOs, two UNICEF Country Offices, two academia, one private company as well as four global and regional organizations. The Forum helped to facilitate knowledge exchange, promote networks and foster partnerships. It provided a platform for sharing experiences and lessons learned in combatting online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) both within the region and globally and in the context of other forms of violence against children.

Safe Online’s Investments in Latin America and Caribbean region: 

Safe Online has invested

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million since 2017 with grants in more than 100 countries.

Most funds, $45 million, are allocated to support systems strengthening. In addition to this, nearly $22 million goes into evidence generation, with another roughly $21 million into tech solutions. There has already been more than 15 million in grants made to projects in the LAC region across the three pillars. 

See map here
Trends and threats: the evolving nature of online CSEA

The digital world is rapidly transforming, bringing both new threats and opportunities in the fight against online CSEA. Discussions focused on how financial incentives, offenders’ profiles, and peer-to-peer abuse are shaping the landscape. Generative AI (GenAI) emerged as a significant topic, described as a double-edged sword. While offenders exploit its capabilities, GenAI also holds potential for preventive strategies, such as targeted interventions for offenders. Concerns were raised about gaming platforms becoming hotspots for exploitation, where predators act as peers to connect with children. The overlap between online and other forms of harm is becoming increasingly apparent, with virtual interactions often escalating into real-world exploitation. It was noted that much of the focus remains U.S.-centric, leaving significant gaps in addressing regional needs and global variations in threats and vulnerabilities. Furthermore, children worldwide often lack the digital literacy to identify risks, and parents and caregivers frequently lack the awareness and tools to guide safe internet use.   

The power of data and technology

The session highlighted how data plays a crucial role in tackling online CSEA. Victim-centric methodologies and innovative practices are shaping how data is collected and utilized, but significant challenges remain. The predominance of English-centric approaches limits access and insights in regions like LATAM, where other languages are prevalent. Overcoming these barriers is essential to unlocking the full potential of data ecosystems, ensuring equitable access to resources and valuable insights worldwide.

Shaping narratives for advocacy and action

The narratives surrounding online CSEA significantly influence perceptions, advocacy, programming, and financing priorities, and therefore require greater attention and alignment with robust data-driven insights and evidence. The diversity of approaches among grantees – ranging from advocacy to direct action, activism and awareness-raising – brings valuable richness to the field. Even greater potential lies in fostering collaboration among grantees and key actors to achieve shared advocacy goals. Crucially, effective advocacy relies on data and knowledge generated by multiple actors underscoring the importance of interconnected efforts in driving impactful change. 

Unlocking evidence generation for progress

Experts highlighted the importance of data for resource mobilization but also to demonstrate what works to tackle online CSEA across levels. Grantees highlighted ways in which they work with data in their respective organisations – from case management, survivors’ data to understanding broader trends. The lack of legal guidelines and limited data sharing by industry were identified as significant challenges. Participants called for a supra-entity to set standards and aggregate data, paving the way for more strategic use of evidence in tackling online CSEA. Participants flagged the need for overcoming challenges in evidence generation, in order to use evidence strategically to refine programmatic approaches and advocate for policy changes and financial commitments.  

The Latin America context: specific challenges related to online CSEA

Digital platforms are enabling rapid and powerful connections between societies with vastly different approaches to child protection and violence prevention, leaving indigenous and native communities especially vulnerable. Parents and caregivers in the region are often unaware of the specific risks posed by digital platforms, further exacerbating vulnerabilities. Digital threats in the region mirror global trends, with in-person connections frequently originating from online interactions. However, regional safety standards often fall short of global benchmarks. For instance, some countries in the region have classifications of online CSEA that fail to live up to international child protection standards, while others face inconsistent application of safety measures compared to other regions with stricter frameworks. The rise of GenAI in the region is providing new avenues for offending, as the lack of robust enforcement mechanisms undermines deterrence. A universal challenge in addressing online CSEA is the stigma associated with reporting and seeking help. While this issue spans cultures and regions, it requires tailored solutions sensitive to local contexts. However, the region also presents opportunities for innovative, localized solutions such as cross-boarders coordination, behavior change programs and peer education initiatives. 

The region diverse stakeholders – including governments, service providers, tech companies, parents, and children – can work together to create comprehensive prevention and response systems. Building capacities across these groups can help address gaps in digital literacy, improve awareness of risks, and encourage the adoption of robust safety measures. Peer education programs, which leverage the trust children place in their peers, show promise. However, these initiatives must rely on evidence and ensure accuracy and reliability to mitigate unintended risks. Engaging the tech industry to develop tools and frameworks that address local vulnerabilities while aligning with global safety standards is another critical step forward in creating safer digital environments for children in the Latin America and the Caribbean  region.  

Participants also discussed help-seeking requirements particularly focusing on staff wellbeing support for personnel working on online CSEA, with different exposure levels requiring tailored approaches. Barriers include limited resources for advanced tech tools like ReflexAI, perceptions of unequal support within organizations, and variability in cultural norms and organizational attitudes toward help-seeking. Opportunities lie in compartmentalization strategies (for example, Artemis of Los Andes and Aulas la Paz whereby engineers have little to no exposure to online CSEA); minimizing staff exposure to harmful content (e.g., blurred images for CSAM analysis), and leveraging AI tools to streamline workloads, improve training, and detect when staff may need support. Examples like the Trevor Project’s AI training tool and Tech Matters’ caller profiles demonstrate how innovation can enhance staff wellbeing while increasing efficiency. There is also a growing normalization of duty of care practices, signaling progress toward more supportive organizational cultures. 

Networks and collaborations

The Forum brought together practitioners and experts, fostering a spirit of community and shared purpose. Participants learned about each other’s work, identified synergies, and explored how they can jointly address online CSEA. This session highlighted the importance of aligning efforts and learning from each other, with participants leaving with new connections, ideas for cross-country collaborations, and a shared commitment to deepen joint engagement. It was a step towards strengthening the Safe Online community committed to tackle this pressing challenge.  

Overall, by fostering networks, sharing insights, and identifying actionable opportunities, participants took meaningful steps toward building safer digital spaces for children. The discussions underscored the importance of collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based approaches in turning shared challenges into impactful solutions. 
See more stories from our family of grantees
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Policy Proposal 3

May 13, 2023

As part of Together to #ENDviolence, experts from across the End Violence community came together to prepare a prioritized set of policy proposals to end violence against children. The result is six game-changing policy proposals, backed by evidence and research on what works to protect children.

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2024: A Year of Urgency, Vision, and Partnership in Safeguarding Children Online

2024: A Year of Urgency, Vision, and Partnership in Safeguarding Children Online

As 2024 comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on a year marked by both immense challenges and significant opportunities in safeguarding children in an increasingly digital world. The rapid evolution of technologies—such as Generative AI and extended reality platforms—has reshaped our digital landscape, offering immense potential but also exacerbating the risks children face online. While these technological advancements promise to change lives for the better, they also outpace our collective ability to protect children from harm, presenting critical questions about how we mobilize the necessary resources to respond. 

This year, we saw a growing consensus among policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society on the need for global collaboration to create a safer, more ethical digital future. Discussions around AI ethics, governance, privacy, and child safety have expanded beyond niche circles, signaling progress. Governments have begun stepping up with regulatory frameworks aimed at mitigating harm, safeguarding privacy, and ensuring accountability. However, we know regulation alone is not enough. 

Closing the investment gap: a call to action

The single greatest barrier to achieving a safe, inclusive, and ethical digital future for children is the chronic underfunding of the field. Online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA), in particular, faces a significant—and worsening—funding gap. Despite the growing awareness of the risks children face online, investment in solutions has not kept pace with the scale or complexity of the problem. 

To implement the bold, innovative vision we need, governments, industry, and frontline actors must commit to increasing funding and resources. We must clearly articulate the financial and resource demands of protecting children online and rally stakeholders to recognize that these investments are vital—not only for child protection but for a safer, healthier digital ecosystem. 

This is not just about responding to harms—it’s about scaling prevention, building infrastructure, and enabling cross-sector collaboration. Without sustained, meaningful investments, our vision for a safe digital world will remain out of reach. Let 2025 be the year we close the funding gap and begin to match our ambitions with the resources they deserve. 

Strengthening the links: a holistic approach

Children do not experience online harm in isolation. Evidence increasingly shows that online CSEA is inextricably linked to broader issues such as mental health challenges, gender-based violence, extremism, peer-to-peer abuse, and violations of children’s online rights. Yet, these intersections are often overlooked in discussions about digital safety and child protection. To make meaningful progress, we must shift our focus upstream—addressing protective and risk factors holistically and investing in prevention as much as response. 

This means integrating online safety into broader conversations about children’s rights in the digital age and embedding their voices and lived experiences into everything we do. By addressing the root causes and interconnected risks children face, we can work toward a future where children not only survive but thrive online. 

Innovations, open solutions and collective impact

Tackling online harms will also require bold, risk-taking investments in technology tools, new approaches, and open-source solutions that benefit the entire ecosystem. The system as a whole—governments, industry, civil society, and frontline actors—must collaborate to create shareable, scalable tools that drive progress. 

Equally critical is the need to invest in the evidence and data infrastructure that underpins these solutions. Reliable, accessible, and actionable data from all sectors is a cornerstone for improving interventions, developing new tools, and driving effective research. Building this foundation will help us create smarter, more coordinated responses to the complex and evolving threats children face. 

A shared mission amid global uncertainty

All of this work unfolds against a backdrop of geopolitical challenges and conflicts that have tested the resilience of children worldwide. From wars and famines to economic instability and global displacement, children have borne the heaviest burdens of this year’s crises. These realities underscore the urgency of our mission. 

Yet, amidst these challenges, 2024 has also been a year of collaboration and progress. At Safe Online, we’ve forged impactful partnerships, championed survivor- and youth-centered approaches, and pushed for digital safety to be recognized as a critical element of global child protection agendas. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our donors, partners, and grantees. 

Looking ahead with purpose

As we close this year, I carry a deep sense of hope—but hope alone is not enough. To ensure that 2025 brings safety, equity, and opportunity to every child, we must act with purpose. I appeal to all who share this vision to join us in scaling our efforts: through advocacy, funding, and bold action. Together, we can create a future where every child, everywhere, is safe, empowered, and free to thrive—both online and offline. 

Let us move forward with resolve, united in our commitment to a safe digital future for children and young people. 

Read: Wrapping up 2024
See more stories from our family of grantees

Safer Internet Day 2024 – Updates from Safe Online Grantees

January 29, 2024

Safer Internet Day, on February 6 2024, marks an important moment to come together to address urgent challenges. Governments, civil society, businesses, educators and children from across the globe are mobilising on this day to acknowledge and promote the theme of “Together for a better internet”.

What are Safe Online grantees doing to support a Safer Internet Day?

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Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund announces additional funding of US $500k to select existing grantees for research extension, product development & innovation

October 20, 2023

The Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund is granting 4 awards to further accelerate the work of organisations from the first cohort of grantees. The additional funds will be for a duration of 12 months and will support projects to extend research to applications such as piloting solutions, technical collaboration and innovation efforts.

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GenAI & Child Online Safety: Shaping a Safer Digital Future Together

Gen AI and Child Online Safety

Tech Coalition and Safe Online: Funding innovative research on Gen AI

The Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund is going into its fourth year!

Ongoing collaboration between Safe Online and the Tech Coalition will center the Research Fund’s efforts on generative AI , ensuring we make meaningful progress in this critical area. While this year’s funding is at a smaller scale than past years – USD$220K – we are applying a more targeted approach for amplifying impact by honing in on one topic and applying the approaches and structures for industry-researcher engagement that we have jointly built over the past three years.

An Anticipatory Step Supporting Independent Research

The Tech Coalition and Safe Online identified a crucial need as GenAI is rapidly developing, to increase the sparse research landscape on the intersections of GenAI and online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA).

The first project, announced at the Tech Coalition’s UK generative AI briefing, will be led by the University of Kent. The study will build on the work Kent has begun as part of the first cohort of the Research Fund with increased collaboration with tech industry. The focus will be on the proliferation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and its potential impact on attitudes, norms, and behaviors among those who engage with CSAM. This research will also explore how the ecosystems of prevention and perpetration may respond to these emerging threats.

We are now pleased to announce two further projects for award under this funding round that approach this topic from a critically important perspective: children and young people’s experiences.

Youth Voices on AI: Shaping a Safer Digital Future

This project aims to directly engage children and youth in shaping AI development and regulation, particularly around online CSEA prevention. Led by Western Sydney University’s Young and Resilient Research Centre, the initiative will gather youth perspectives on AI, develop a “Youth Constitution for AI,” and inform policymakers about young people’s views on AI-related risks and safeguards.

The core focus of the project is aligning AI development with the values and safety concerns of young users. By understanding how youth perceive AI’s benefits and risks, particularly in relation to CSEA, the project will provide key insights for ethical AI development and governance. This initiative seeks to not only prevent online harms but also foster a generation of young people informed and engaged in shaping the future of AI.

GenAI misuse: Child-centered perspectives on risks and harms

This project, led by SaferNet Brasil, focuses on addressing the rising misuse of generative AI tools to create and share CSAM and self-generated explicit content by teenagers. 

By involving adolescents in semi-structured interviews and participatory workshops, the project aims to create a nuanced understanding of these emerging practices and inform the development of child-centered safety policies. The findings will be shared with tech companies, enabling them to improve safety strategies, provide risk mitigation tools, and address the misuse of AI for harassment and exploitation. The project will also use findings to raise awareness through advocacy, with a focus on preventing online exploitation and fostering child participation in these efforts.

Moving Forward: New Opportunities for Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration

We must build an evidence base that assesses the effectiveness of mitigation strategies and identifies the most reliable tools for managing the risks and benefits of genAI, especially focusing on children as well as offenders or those at risk of offending.

This round of the Research Fund marks a critical development in understanding the benefits for children and young people of genAI technologies as well as the risks associated with AI-generated content, and these projects are kicking off now through the beginning of 2025. The goal is to foster collaboration among key stakeholders—ranging from child safety advocates to law enforcement and tech companies—ensuring that the potential dangers of genAI are met with informed, actionable responses.

See more stories from our family of grantees

2024: A Year of Urgency, Vision, and Partnership in Safeguarding Children Online

December 16, 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on a year marked by both immense challenges and significant opportunities in safeguarding children in an increasingly digital world. The rapid evolution of technologies—such as Generative AI and extended reality platforms—has reshaped our digital landscape, offering immense potential but also exacerbating the risks children face online. While these technological advancements promise to change lives for the better, they also outpace our collective ability to protect children from harm, presenting critical questions about how we mobilize the necessary resources to respond.

Read More »

Press Release: Survivors of childhood sexual violence seek urgent action to ‘redesign’ the internet to protect children

July 22, 2024

Press Release: July 17, 2024 [LONDON]: Today, survivors of childhood sexual violence will address the escalating threat to children’s lives posed by online abuse, and call for action to ‘redesign’ the internet and protect children ahead of the first ever global Ministerial on the issue in November 2024. This is a pivotal moment to redefine the digital world for children, ensuring that technology is used for their benefit and never for their harm.

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Winners of the 2024 Safe Online funding call

June 2, 2025

Safe Online awards $6.7 million to 20 new grantees to advance innovative and high-impact solutions to fight online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA).
In response to the escalating risks children face in the digital world, Safe Online launched a global call for proposals in 2024 to identify and support the most promising solutions

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Press Release: Survivors and allies demand urgent action to prevent digital harms and keep children safe online

Press Release

Survivors and allies demand urgent action to prevent digital harms and keep children safe online

World leaders urged to seize historic opportunity at the inaugural Global Ministerial on Ending Violence Against Children to make bold commitments to create a safe digital world for children and young people

November 6, 2024 [Bogota, Colombia]:

Today, survivors and allies came together to demand urgent action from world leaders to address the growing threat of online child abuse and ensure a safe digital future for children.

Safe Online, the Brave Movement, and WeProtect Global Alliance, along with 15+ partners, hosted the Satellite event ‘Safe Digital Futures for Children’. The event, held at the margins of the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children, aimed to build momentum and urge governments to end all forms of violence against children, including online violence.

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See more of our recent updates

Suojellaan Lapsia Ry

January 9, 2024

Our grantees Suojellaan Lapsia Ry Redirection Countries involved:Finland Suojellaan Lapsia Ry will develop and launch ReDirection, an evidence-based self-help programme working to prevent the consumption of CSAM on the Dark Web. By providing targeted support for these individuals, the project will also reveal new information about these searchers and their pathways

Read More »

University of Kent 2

January 9, 2024

Our grantees University of Kent Understanding and improving help seeking by people at risk of online child sexual exploitation and abuse Countries involved:United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland The Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology at the University of Kent is a group of leading psychologists working

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A historic opportunity to protect children from digital harms: Open Letter

A historic opportunity to protect children from digital harms.

This is a joint open letter by Daniela Ligiero, Co-founder of the Brave Movement; Marija Manojlovic, Executive Director of Safe Online; and Iain Drennan, Executive Director of WeProtect Global Alliance

Every day, technology dominates headlines-whether it’s the rise of generative AI, the growth of immersive experiences, or the influence of algorithms on our daily lives. But behind the excitement, there’s a darker story that needs urgent attention: the safety of children and young people in the digital world. In 2023 alone, over 300 million children worldwide were victims of online abuse and sexual exploitation. By the time you finish reading this, nearly 500 more children will have experienced abuse online. This is an urgent crisis that demands immediate action.

Rhiannon-Faye McDonald was just 13 years old when she experienced online abuse. Groomed online by a man posing as someone else, she was lured into sending intimate photos, which quickly became tools for blackmail. The nightmare escalated when he arrived at her home the next morning, to continue the sexual abuse in person. Now an advocate and survivor of technology-assisted child sexual abuse, Rhiannon-Faye is on a mission: to drive a coordinated, global response to online sexual violence. She speaks for the countless children who have suffered in silence, reminding Governments and tech companies of their responsibility to act. “No child should ever have to experience what I went through,” she says.

Rhiannon-Faye McDonald was just 13 years old when she experienced online abuse. Now an advocate and survivor of technology-assisted child sexual abuse, Rhiannon-Faye is on a mission: to drive a coordinated, global response to online sexual violence. “No child should ever have to experience what I went through,” she says.

Today’s children are online at increasingly younger ages, growing up in a digital environment that’s as integral to their development as physical spaces like homes and playgrounds. And yet, while we work tirelessly to ensure physical spaces are safe for children, the digital world remains a minefield. Without proper safeguards, children are exposed to risks like grooming, exploitation and sexual extortion—threats that can cause lifelong trauma and have serious physical, mental and social consequences. A report from Spain highlights the staggering cost of inaction, with the country losing $5 billion annually by failing to address sexual abuse of children. Globally, the problem is worsening, and the risks are mounting.

In Colombia alone, the national Cyber Police Center blocked over 19,000 pages hosting child sexual abuse material in the first half of 2023. The Te Protejo hotline, run by Red PaPapaz, a Safe Online grantee, has seen a steady rise in reports, receiving nearly 35,000 images of violations since 2016. This illustrates a horrifying reality: online violence against children is a borderless crime that affects children of all genders and reaches every corner of the world. Research, such as the global Disrupting Harm project, shows that boys and girls face these dangers in nearly equal measure. Experts and child rights advocates are sounding the alarm, insisting that this growing crisis be treated with the same urgency as a global pandemic.

Our survivor-informed Call to Action outlines the steps for ending online violence against children

In just a few days, over 100 global leaders will gather in Bogotá, Colombia, for the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence against Children. This event, co-led by the governments of Colombia and Sweden alongside organisations like WHO, UNICEF, and the UN Special Representative on Violence Against Children, offers a pivotal moment to address digital harms against children. For the first time, global leaders will be asked to commit to ending childhood sexual violence, a critical step in the fight to protect children in all spheres, including the digital realm. The decisions made here will shape the future of child safety for years to come.

Our organisations—Safe Online, the Brave Movement and WeProtect Global Alliance—along with 15 other child rights groups, will host a satellite event called ‘Safe Digital Futures for Children’ on the margins of the conference. This event will be a rallying cry for governments to demonstrate their commitment to ending all forms of violence against children, including online violence. Our survivor-informed Call to Action outlines the steps needed to make this vision a reality.

We are demanding that governments enact bold, globally aligned legislation that prioritises children’s safety and wellbeing. Such laws must be tech-neutral, adaptable to future threats, and capable of addressing emerging risks. We also need sustainable funding and investment in public health and prevention strategies that can tackle the root causes of online child exploitation. Crucially, the voices of children and survivors must be at the centre of policy development, ensuring that those most affected by these crimes are guiding the response. Governments must also mandate that online service providers adopt safety-by-design principles and quickly remove child sexual abuse material from their platforms.

Next week’s conference in Colombia is a critical opportunity to ensure that promises made by global leaders are backed by action. Governments must prioritise digital safety in their violence prevention strategies, recognizing that online violence is a global health crisis demanding a comprehensive response. Their commitments to protect children must be backed by concrete, well-funded policies. Without a strong focus on digital safety, efforts to combat violence in the digital space will remain fragmented, leaving children vulnerable to preventable harm.

Ministers have a unique opportunity to lead by example and set the standard for how the world should tackle digital violence against children. The pledges and commitments made here will reveal the true extent of political will to address this urgent issue. Will governments rise to the occasion and make the bold commitments needed to create a safer digital world for children, or will they let this moment slip away?

We are confident that global leaders understand the gravity of the crisis and will seize this historic opportunity to make real, impactful change. The stakes are too high to do otherwise.  We owe it to the 500 children, who suffer abuse as you read this, and the millions more at risk around the world. Now is the time to act, to fulfil the promise of a safer digital future for every child.

See more stories from our family of grantees

12 new countries join flagship global initiative to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse

December 8, 2023

In today’s increasingly digital world, the internet has become an integral part of children and young people’s lives, providing enormous opportunities for communication, education and entertainment. At the same time, it can also present a serious threat to their safety and well-being. Unfortunately, there is very little solid evidence available on the scale of these risks, which groups of children are more likely to be harmed, and where or how this happens.

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2024: A Year of Urgency, Vision, and Partnership in Safeguarding Children Online

December 16, 2024

As 2024 comes to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on a year marked by both immense challenges and significant opportunities in safeguarding children in an increasingly digital world. The rapid evolution of technologies—such as Generative AI and extended reality platforms—has reshaped our digital landscape, offering immense potential but also exacerbating the risks children face online. While these technological advancements promise to change lives for the better, they also outpace our collective ability to protect children from harm, presenting critical questions about how we mobilize the necessary resources to respond.

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Recap – Safe digital futures for children: Data for change

Recap: Safe digital futures for children - Data for change

Interested to join the next Data for Change event on November 26? Apply here for an opportunity to attend.

In October 2024, the Data for Change community gathered in London for a two-day technical workshop, bringing together over 40 experts from government, tech companies, civil society, and academia. The event focused on strengthening the global data ecosystem for online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) and fostering collaborative solutions to improve the use of data to protect children online. Participants engaged in interactive sessions to refine the online CSEA ecosystem map, address barriers to data flows, and generate ideas for building more robust data infrastructure. The workshop also highlighted successful initiatives and identified concrete outputs to drive the community’s work forward to building a safer digital world for children.

Mapping the Data Ecosystem: Gaps and Opportunities

One of the workshop’s key activities was examining the visual ecosystem mapping of the online CSEA data ecosystem that was commissioned by Safe Online. Participants reviewed different stages of the data lifecycle—Governance, Collection, Storage, Sharing, Processing and Use—highlighting what was working well and where critical gaps persisted. 

Key Findings

  • Governance: There is a strong need to ensure that data efforts are centred on the lived experiences of children, survivors, and parents. Major blockers include differing jurisdictional laws and the lack of a global narrative around online CSEA. A positive example is the use of the Luxembourg Guidelines for aligning terminologies across sectors.
  • Data Collection & Storage: The quality of data and inconsistency in classifications across countries regarding what data is collected and how it is used remains a challenge. Additionally, the efficiency of data collection needs improvement—better tools are required to streamline processes and prioritise important data gaps without overwhelming systems.
  • Sharing & Processing: While some organisations have developed strong quality assurance frameworks, challenges persist around interoperability and trust in sharing data. One positive example is the Better Deal for Data, which has developed trust standards for data sharing.
  • Use: A key priority is maximising the reach and utility of data, particularly in making insights accessible to policy makers, industry, activists and survivors through simplified, clear communication.

Breaking Down Barriers: Navigating the PESTLE Framework

Participants also explored the Political, Economic, Societal, Technological, Legal, and Environmental (PESTLE) barriers that affect the online CSEA data ecosystem. This session encouraged reflection on how these barriers impede progress and potential ways to address them. 

Some key insights: 

Collaborating for Success: Good Practices from the Field

A panel featuring experts from Childlight, SVRI, WeProtect, and the Tech Coalition showcased successful collaborative efforts around data usage. Panellists shared their experiences in navigating complex data landscapes and highlighted how partnerships between tech companies, civil society, and governments can drive progress.

Equity: Ensuring all Voices are Heard

The workshop also tackled the issue of equity—asking whose voices are missing from the data ecosystem and how to ensure greater representation. Discussions highlighted the importance of involving children, young researchers, and underrepresented communities in shaping the data narrative.

Key insights:

  • Inclusion of non-English-speaking online spaces and local voices in data collection is crucial for a more representative and inclusive global picture.
  • Participants emphasised empowering children and young researchers to engage in data collection from the ground, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
  • There were calls for regional meetings to ensure accessibility, as well as the creation of a “People’s Panel” to involve communities more directly in data equity discussions.

The Way Forward: Prioritising Actions for a Better Future

To conclude the workshop, participants engaged in a collaborative exercise to prioritise barriers and identify solutions with the most potential impact and feasibility. Discussions ranged from specific data use cases—such as surveys and criminal justice reports—to broader, cross-sector data applications.

Example of particular action items highlighted:

As we move forward, these priorities will shape the agenda for the Data for Change Virtual Convening 2024, on Tuesday, 26 November, where we join forces once more to address the most pressing challenges in the online CSEA data ecosystem. 

Participants will have the chance to engage with experts across sectors, contribute to refining the community’s roadmap, and explore new opportunities for partnerships and collective action.

While spaces are limited to maintain the interactive, participatory dynamic of our convenings, we want to continue to expand our community.

Interested to join the next Data for Change event on November 26? 

Apply Here for an Opportunity to Attend

Learn more about the Data for Change journey to date: 

Images: Safe Online

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Joint Stakeholder Statement: Call on policymakers to swiftly adopt the extension of the ePrivacy derogation

January 23, 2024

Joint call on policymakers to swiftly adopt the extension of the interim ePrivacy derogation Joint Stakeholder Statement Brussels, 23 January 2024 The undersigned organisations have been participating, from different angles, in the discussions surrounding the proposal laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse. All signatories share the same goal,

Read More »

Bridging Perspectives at TrustCon 2024: Our Workshop Experience

August 12, 2024

TrustCon 2024, one of the leading events in the Trust & Safety community attended by over 1300 participants, provided an amazing platform for engagement and collaboration among professionals from various sectors. Our workshop was a blend of fireside chat, lightning talks, and breakout sessions for Q&A with researchers, ending with an energetic brainstorming session.

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Recap blog- 2024 Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund Convening

Recap: 2024 Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund Convening

A space for learning, translating and making connections

The Tech Coalition and Safe Online were proud to host the 2024 Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund Convening in London on October 1. Over 50 attendees were present, representing all 13 grant projects from the Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund as well as more than a dozen leading tech companies. The Convening successfully combined research insights with industry expertise to drive outcomes that will protect children from online sexual exploitation and abuse.

Insights from Experts

During the event, attendees heard from numerous expert panelists from both industry and academia. Industry members shared their thoughts on topics such as the value of independent research and what makes research actionable. In many cases, actionable research answers a relevant and defined research question, and is valuable as solid evidence when making the case for certain child safety changes.

Researchers were able to answer questions about how they determine research questions and methodology, as well as how they view their interplay with industry. They generally strove to fill gaps in the existing literature, with the work fully centered on protecting kids. Researchers commonly highlighted the need for cooperation with industry, with them being capable of implementing recommendations and informing future research projects.

Each Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund grantee was also given an opportunity to share an update on their research progress. Projects from the Fund cover a diverse range of topics, from moderator wellness to grooming prevention to deterrence and help seeking and much more. These presentations were followed with lightning round small group discussions for attendees to dig in further to each project.

Impact of the Research Fund

Panelists and speakers also discussed the impact of the Research Fund, further showcasing its role in advancing online child safety research. Based on conversations with researchers, they highlight how the Fund has enabled impact in the following key areas:

  1. Global Community Building & Collaboration: Connecting grantees across regions, fostering partnerships and knowledge sharing.
  2. Academic & Industry Integration: Bridging academic research with industry, promoting access to industry and practical collaboration.
  3. Institutional Strengthening & Broadening: Expanding grantees’ scope and capacity for larger projects.
  4. Policy & Public Awareness Impact: Influencing national, regional policies and raising public awareness on online child safety.
  5. Addressing Gaps in the Evidence Landscape: Filling research gaps, especially in underserved areas and emerging issues.

Workshopping Applications and Action

The centerpiece of the Convening was a series of interactive workshop discussions in diverse small groups. These sessions identified challenges, opportunities, and potential impacts of research with guiding questions like the following:

  • What are gray areas for industry vs. researchers in this field? 
  • What are existing barriers to research / tech industry exchange?
  • What solutions do we already know that can make research actionable and facilitate collaboration?  

A number of themes emerged from these discussions:

  1. Research needs to continue to be incorporated into a broader range of roles within industry companies. 
  2. Mechanisms for exchange are needed that maintain the independence of research while also facilitating engagement with industry throughout the research process, not just at dissemination.
  3. Ethical and data privacy concerns are a constant consideration when it comes to engaging with research. 
  4. Forming connections between industry and researchers is key to facilitating future partnerships; time and trust are necessary.

The Tech Coalition and Safe Online are always working to drive action on all those themes. This Convening generated new connections to be nurtured into potential partnerships. It was also held alongside the Tech Coalition’s Initiate Hackathon, to allow the largest ever engineering presence at this event. And as the Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund considers new projects in Generative AI, pre-existing partnerships with industry have been a major consideration.

We at Safe Online and the Tech Coalition were pleased to convene such an essential group of stakeholders. We also thank Google for hosting us at their London offices. Research has been and continues to be one of the key drivers of progress in preventing online child sexual exploitation and abuse, and we look forward to using the learnings from this event to drive forward further.

Watch: Wrap-up video
Watch: Grantee interviews
See more stories from our family of grantees

Joint Stakeholder Statement: Call on policymakers to swiftly adopt the extension of the ePrivacy derogation

January 23, 2024

Joint call on policymakers to swiftly adopt the extension of the interim ePrivacy derogation Joint Stakeholder Statement Brussels, 23 January 2024 The undersigned organisations have been participating, from different angles, in the discussions surrounding the proposal laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse. All signatories share the same goal,

Read More »

Safe Online awards $10 million to 23 new grantees to join the fight against digital harms 

June 20, 2024

To combat the growing threats in the digital space, Safe Online launched a global call for proposals in 2023. After a rigorous and thorough selection process, 23 grantees have been selected to receive USD 10 million. The new investment grows Safe Online’s investment portfolio to USD 100 million across 106 projects with impact in 100 countries and accelerates Safe Online’s globally important role as a catalyst for new solutions to combat digital harms.

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

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