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The collaboration between ChildSafeNet and TikTok demonstrates how tech companies and civil society can share expertise to empower educators and children and bring digital safety education to local communities.
When TikTok reached out to ChildSafeNet to explore ways of working together on online safety, it marked the beginning of a partnership that would grow far beyond its original purpose. What started as a collaboration to establish a Community Channel Partnership – enabling ChildSafeNet to report online child abuse content directly to TikTok- soon evolved into something much larger. Together, the two organisations began creating opportunities to educate children, parents, and teachers about digital safety, turning research insights into action and positioning ChildSafeNet as a trusted national voice on online protection.
As the partnership deepened, ChildSafeNet’s engagement with TikTok expanded beyond content reporting into broader conversations about policy and product safety. The team was able to connect with key TikTok officials responsible for trust and safety and had opportunities to contribute insights to discussions around nuanced content moderation – such as distinguishing between nude and non-nude exploitative videos, and instances of nudity that are not sexual in nature, such as in education or art. Their role was no longer just reporting harmful content; it was shaping how the platform understood and responded to the complexities of digital safety.
Building on the research on enhancing parental roles supported by the Tech Coalition Safe Online Research Fund, the ChildSafeNet team proposed a project to educate parents, teachers, and students about online safety — aligning directly with the research objectives. TikTok accepted the proposal, paving the way for a collaborative initiative that merged evidence-based insights with practical outreach.
The first activity of the project was a workshop with young people, designed to understand how they use social media, including TikTok, their safety concerns, and their ideas to make platforms safer. Insights from this workshop informed the design of later training sessions and awareness materials. The initiative then officially launched in December 2024, with ChildSafeNet Founder and President, Anil Raghuvanshi, moderating a high-profile session alongside government representatives, TikTok leaders, and content creators.
At the heart of the program was a three-day training-of-trainers for teachers, backed by memorandums of understanding with 20 schools. Over 30 trainers were equipped with the knowledge and skills to deliver digital safety training to students, ensuring long-term sustainability. The curriculum, developed collaboratively, combined technical training (like TikTok’s privacy settings and features, including Family Pairing) with soft skills (like building peer support systems and talking to parents about online risks). Case studies and scenario-based exercises made the sessions practical and engaging.
For both ChildSafeNet and TikTok, the collaboration worked because they looked for shared priorities. TikTok was looking to strengthen its focus on child safety to respond to government priorities and strengthen user trust, which would benefit the platform overall.
TikTok is pleased to partner with ChildSafeNet, a leading organisation dedicated to advancing digital safety for children and young people. Since October 2024, this collaboration has enabled us to deliver digital safety training and awareness programmes to children, young people, parents, and teachers in seven districts across three provinces of Nepal. Through these joint efforts, we are strengthening awareness on the constructive and safer use of digital technology, while highlighting TikTok’s privacy and safety features and community guidelines, particularly focused on the protection of children and young people.”
Representative from TikTok
For ChildSafeNet, the mission was clear – protecting children online. As Anil reflected, “Look at the common ground where we have mutual interests. How our work will help them and vice versa.”
The partnership also offered lessons for other research grantees seeking to engage with tech companies:
Be visible. ChildSafeNet made a deliberate effort to stay “top of mind” with TikTok – through consistent communication, social media, and publishing updates. This was further amplified through the Research Fund’s networking opportunities and technical assistance for grantees to showcase their work, sharpen their messaging, and build lasting relationships with industry partners.
Focus on quality. Delivering high-quality work builds trust and credibility.
Engage the right people at the right time. Identifying key contacts within the company made collaboration smoother. Building on momentum, ChildSafeNet was able to expand the partnership from a single reporting channel into broader joint initiatives on digital safety.
The partnership continues to evolve. TikTok now includes ChildSafeNet in consultations related to child online safety, reflecting genuine respect for their expertise. Evaluation of the program’s impact is also underway, with ChildSafeNet conducting follow-ups to understand what participants retained, how relationships shifted, and what elements of the training were most valuable. While challenges remain, including whether Nepal will remain a priority market for tech companies, ChildSafeNet’s experience demonstrates what’s possible when researchers and child protection organizations engage constructively with tech companies.
For other Research Fund research grantees, this story shows that collaboration isn’t just about presenting your priorities, it’s about listening, finding common ground, and being ready to step in when the opportunity arises.
For tech companies, it’s a reminder that working with national organisations with the expertise in child online protection, like ChildSafeNet, not only strengthens community trust but also helps make platforms safer for children and families.
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