Albanian government commits to protecting children from online abuse and sexual exploitation through online child safety and awareness

Tirana, 9 February 2016 – The Ministry of Innovation and Public Administration, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Youth and Social Welfare and Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with UNICEF and in partnership with Children’s Human Rights Centre of Albania (CRCA), organized the National Conference on Child Safety on the internet with the generous support of the Government of the United Kingdom (UK).

The conference aimed to promote and intensify the joint efforts of public institutions for the protection and safety of children online. In this context, "The Agreement of Cooperation for Child Internet Safety" was signed among four ministries and the "National Platform for Child Safety Online" was launched. The conference looked into the risks and benefits that children face while on internet. The conclusions and the recommendations of the conference will be reflected in a joint action plan that will be developed and implemented in the forthcoming months.

”Online child sexual exploitation is a crime with global standing that does not respect borders.  Tackling it requires multilateral and coordinated action between and within governments, law enforcement, industry and civil society. Through the WeProtect Online Initiative sponsored by the UK Government,  UNICEF in Albania is working with the Government, the private sector and Civil Society Organizations to make the online world safer for kids through appropriate developments in public policy, necessary legislative improvements, providing industry best practices, good digital parenting, awareness of children, parents, teachers, and stronger collaboration with law enforcement and protection services”- concluded Antonella Scolamiero, UNICEF representative.

Statistics show that children make up one-third of internet users worldwide.  Children in Albania commonly use smartphones and computers, and distribution of pornographic materials has become a commonplace occurrence, and has resulted in cases of teenagers engaging in the production and distribution of pornographic materials. The CRC Committee expressed its concern over the lack of an efficient system to protect children from harmful images and information related to violence, racism and pornography in Albania and prevent accessibility of the information to the children.

Albania, similarly to other countries in Western Balkans, still lacks awareness even of the most basic facts on child internet safety and the education system (schools and education authorities) are only now starting to grasp the importance of awareness and information on internet safety.