Institute of Child Protection Studies’ Post

Children often fall under the vulnerable category. We should analyse why they are categorized as such in the law and public discourse and always strive, as adults in any occupation, to support them to not be vulnerable. Children need us to take measures to empower them, they need us to create the tools for them to be able to protect themselves and to allow them to get their voice heard. Children are agents, they have rights that are protected by specific international, European, and national legal frameworks. We are bound by them and we are responsible for enabling children to exercise them. 5Rights' and the European Parliament Intergroup on Children's Rights' event on "Demystifying Age Assurance to Protect Children Online" showcased that the security vs privacy trade-off is rather outdated as ethical AI development is the only way to build a safe and inclusive digital society. Children need to be at the center of technology and related policy development to ensure the protection of their rights and become co-creators of innovation. Towards this end, in the context of ALUNA ISF, we are developing a #childcentred #impactassessment framework for security tools fighting against #CSA and #CSE to ensure their rights inform the design, development, and employment of technology.

Social Work Spotlight: Race and Bias in Child Protection 🔦 ...   Today I wanted to highlight recent analysis of child protection case reviews has brought forward a critical issue: the lack of attention to racial bias in decision-making processes involving Black, Asian, and mixed heritage children. Key Findings from 54 Reviews (2022–24): ⚫ Voice of the Child Missing: Many reports failed to include children’s perspectives or direct quotes, limiting insights into their lived experiences. ⚫ Inconsistent Recommendations: Recommendations often lacked the depth needed to improve practice for children from these groups. ⚫ Intersectionality Ignored: Crucial data, such as disabilities or neurodivergent conditions, was frequently absent, making intersectional analysis challenging. The Silence on Racial Bias: Racial bias—whether internalised, interpersonal, institutional, or structural—was not consistently explored or addressed, despite its profound impact on children’s safety and practitioners' responses. This contrasts with other forms of bias, such as gender, which were more commonly acknowledged. What Needs to Change: ⚫ Amplifying the Child’s Voice: Reports must prioritise hearing directly from children to better understand their experiences. ⚫ Targeted Learning for Practitioners: Recommendations must be specific, actionable, and tailored to the needs of Black, Asian, and mixed heritage children. ⚫ Systemic Reflection: The safeguarding system must urgently confront the role of race, racism, and bias in its practices to ensure better outcomes for all children. The findings, shared at the NATIONAL CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT SERVICES Services Conference (NCASC), emphasise the pressing need for change. As Jenny Coles from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel put it: “Race, racism, and bias are not being understood, and this is seriously impacting the safety of these children.” The panel’s full report is expected in early 2025. Let’s hope it drives the much-needed transformation in how we protect our most vulnerable children... #ChildProtection #Safeguarding #RacialEquity #Inclusion #SocialWork

How can age restriction be designed to balance children’s rights and safe verification methods introduced, so that children are not simply excluded from digital spaces and services because it is an easier way out?

Our publication on #ageassurance is now available online (open access). The article, co-authored with Sonia Livingstone Simone van der Hof, Mariya Stoilova and Cansu Caglar, builds on the interdisciplinary academic research we carried out to underpin the European Commission funded euCONSENT project (www.euconsent.eu). In a nutshell, we argue that whilst online age assurance is important for child protection as well as for effective implementation of relevant laws, it is crucial that age assurance solutions are child rights respecting. Online age assurance is not a binary choice of 'adults in and children out'. Instead, we need to ensure that children are not excluded from content and services that they are entitled to access, which in turn means we need to recognise their evolving capacities. More on all of this in the full article, the link to which can be accessed from the press release below! Revealing Reality Iain Corby Tony Allen Kostas Flokos June Lowery-Kingston Onno Hansen-Staszyński Lubos Kuklis Alexandra Oprea Denton Howard, Dip IoD George Billinge Deepak Tewari Rhianne Celia Kiddle Subhajit Basu Julie Dawson Julie Inman - Grant Fred Langford University of Exeter The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Ofcom BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) 5Rights #onlineharms #childonlinesafety #ageverification #childrights

📰 Sunday long read: Using Children’s Rights to recover from the pandemic Our team reviews the ‘Building Children’s Futures’ report, funded by the EU Commission. Using Ireland as a case study, the project aimed to document how child participation structures worked during the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify best practices in COVID-19 responses in Europe. The project explored how a child rights-based approach, that utilises Child Rights Impact Assessments (CRIAs), can be embedded in decision-making during times of emergency in the future: https://loom.ly/R_ImGho #QualityForChildren #Pandemic #ChildrensRights

"Every system is perfectly designed to get the result that it does." – Deming Men’s engagement with the child protection and social services sector is consistently low, especially in voluntary settings. This statistic speaks volumes about the way services are designed and delivered. If men aren’t participating, the system may not be aligned with their needs or experiences. While many programs attempt to address this gap by creating "male-friendly" spaces, these efforts often fall short by inadvertently reinforcing outdated gender norms. If we want to truly engage men—especially fathers—in the child protection space, we need to reimagine how we approach their involvement. It’s not just about making services accessible, but about transforming the way men are perceived in the context of family support, fostering an environment where they feel valued and encouraged to participate in a meaningful way. A gender-transformative approach challenges traditional roles and provides space for men to redefine what it means to be an engaged father or male caregiver. By focusing on breaking down stereotypes and building inclusive, supportive pathways, we can increase men’s participation in child protection and social services, leading to better outcomes for children, families, and communities. I’ve been working in this field for years and have seen firsthand the powerful impact of engaging men in the right way. Let’s work together to redesign systems that not only invite men in but empower them to be active partners in protecting and nurturing the next generation. #ChildProtection #MensEngagement #SocialServices #FamilySupport

Children's rights are in the news - across topics as diverse as social media bans, youth justice laws, and the cost of living crisis. But what actually are children's rights, and why do they matter? Here's a brand-new (and short!) guide to children's rights and the big ideas for a better world that sit behind them - ideas that we should all be familiar with: https://lnkd.in/g_zBHeCc From the Australian Centre for Child Rights: https://lnkd.in/gcdTuPH9 54 reasons #childrights #CRC #UNCRC

👨👩👦 What steps do you think families can take to ensure digital safety for children? UNICEF In today's digital age, children are increasingly connected, with one-third of the world's youth online. While technology offers vast opportunities for learning and growth, it also presents unique challenges that require our collective attention. ✨ At Athens Home Services, we understand the importance of prioritizing children's rights in the digital realm. As a dedicated staffing agency, we connect families with nannies who are not only experienced but also mindful of creating safe digital environments for children. 👪 By facilitating these connections, we aim to support families in fostering digital spaces that safeguard children's well-being and promote their development. #ChildrensRights #DigitalSafety #FamilySupport #UNICEFGoals #AthensHomeServices #PersonnalandHouseholdServices #PHS #ParentingTips #ChildSafety #DigitalParenting #OnlineSafety #ProtectingChildren https://lnkd.in/d8yR2w6Z

"Human rights are under assault... This year’s theme reminds us that human rights are about building the future - right now... We must stand up for all rights - always." - United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres Human Rights matter and ensuring the protection of children's rights is a critical investment in the future. Children possess inherent rights to life, dignity, health, identity, equality, and freedom from discrimination. They deserve a safe environment, protection from harm, and the opportunity to participate in matters that concern them, including the right to be heard. Additionally, they have rights to bodily integrity, protection from armed violence, justice, liberty, privacy, and the rights of minority and Indigenous groups. Education, play, freedom of thought, and the ability to express themselves and engage in peaceful protest are also essential rights. Today, I implore the Australian Commonwealth and State and Territory governments to consider the impacts of legislation and policy on children and young people. The Australian Human Rights Commission and UNICEF Australia published a child rights impact assessment tool last year, to guide government and service providers in evaluating the impact of new laws and policies on children's rights and well-being. You can find a link to the report and the stand alone assessment tool below. #HumanRightsDay #ChildrensRights #HumanRightsMatter #10December, #HumanRights #AusHumanRights #StandUp4HumanRights #16Days #NoExcuse #ProtectKids #16DaysOfActivism Anthony Albanese David Crisafulli MP Andrew Barr Chris Minns Lia Finocchiaro MLA Peter Malinauskas Jeremy Rockliff Jacinta Allan Roger Cook Anne Hollonds Luke Twyford Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) Bravehearts Matt Gardiner 54 reasons

Have Children's Rights done more harm than good? A Case of Zambian Parenting. The relationship between human rights and children's behavior in Zambia is complex, particularly in light of recent legislative changes aimed at enhancing children's rights. The enactment of the Children’s Code Act No. 12 of 2022 marks a significant shift in how children's rights are perceived and enforced in Zambia. This law prohibits corporal punishment and aims to protect children from various forms of abuse, including child marriage and exploitation. Historically, Zambian culture has held a view that children should be "seen and not heard," which has often led to their rights being overlooked and violations going unreported. The Children’s Code aims to change this narrative by establishing a legal framework that recognizes children as individuals with rights, thus encouraging their participation in societal matters. This shift can lead to changes in behavior as children become more empowered to express themselves and advocate for their rights. However, the implementation of these rights may also present challenges. The prohibition of corporal punishment, while a progressive step, raises concerns among some parents and educators about discipline and authority. Critics argue that without traditional forms of discipline, children may exhibit more disruptive behaviors, as they might not understand boundaries or consequences in the absence of physical punishment. This perspective suggests that a sudden shift in how children are disciplined could lead to initial disorderliness as families and schools adjust to new norms. Moreover, the effectiveness of the Children’s Code in curbing disruptive behavior largely depends on societal acceptance and understanding of children's rights. If parents and educators do not fully embrace these changes or lack the skills to implement non-violent disciplinary methods, it could lead to confusion and resistance, potentially resulting in increased behavioral issues among children. Additionally, the rise of advocacy groups and child protection agencies plays a crucial role in this transition. These organizations are working to educate communities about children's rights and promote positive parenting practices, which could mitigate disruptive behavior by fostering a more supportive environment for children. While the enhancement of children's rights in Zambia through the Children’s Code has the potential to empower children and reduce violations, it also necessitates a cultural shift in how children are perceived and disciplined. The initial disruptions in behavior may reflect the growing pains of this transition, underscoring the need for comprehensive education and support for families and educators to navigate this new landscape effectively. #humanrights #childrenscodeact #image_is_for_illustration_purposes_only