The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has called on the Government to use its EU presidency to prioritise funding for Safer Internet Centres across Europe.
These centres provide children who experience online harm with support through helplines, hotlines and awareness campaigns.
They also enable the public to report illegal content.
In a joint statement, the ISPCC, Child Helpline International, INHOPE and child helplines and hotlines from across Europe have called on the Irish Government and the European Commission to help secure the future of Europe’s Safer Internet Centres.
The groups have warned that Safer Internet Centres in at least 13 EU member states, and some countries in accession, are facing serious disruption after they were not awarded funding through the most recent EU grant round and were instead placed on a waiting list.
“Without urgent action, children risk losing access to trusted services they know and rely on when they need help, support or protection,” according to the joint statement.
The groups said that while temporary funding is being made available by the European Commission, stable, long-term funding is required to sustain essential services.
“We’re calling on the Irish Government to use their position during the EU presidency to ensure that the future and vital funding for Safer Internet Centres (SICs) across Europe is provided for in the next Multiannual Financial Framework and more specifically under the EU Commission’s newly proposed European Competitiveness Fund,” said John Church, CEO of ISPCC.
“Securing sustainable funding for SICs is a necessary step to realise the EU’s and Irish Government’s commitment to protect children online,” Mr Church said.
