Kidspomogut.by

On May 29, ahead of International Children’s Day, the updated platform kidspomogut.by was presented. The platform compiles expert information about the main online threats and how to address them. A key feature of the site is anonymous and free online counseling provided confidentially on issues related to preventing online violence. Kidspomogut.by is a joint initiative of the Minsk City Executive Committee and UNICEF in Belarus, with expert support from Kaspersky.

Every day, 172,800 children worldwide access the Internet for the first time and face real dangers in the virtual space. In Belarus, approximately 95% of children use the Internet. According to surveys, parents increasingly provide mobile devices to their children within the first three years of life. By the age of 4 to 6, half of the children already own a phone or tablet.

The Internet offers vast amounts of useful information, but it also presents dangers, especially for children. These include cyberbullying, adult content, excessive online gaming, fraud, online harassment, grooming (establishing trust with a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation), and more. The results of the National Study on Violence Against Children in Belarus, conducted in 2017, showed that 9% of students in grades 5-7 and 18% of students in grades 8-11 experienced violence from individuals they met online.

In a 2022 Kaspersky study conducted in Belarus, 35% of parents reported that their children received friend requests from unknown adults. Additionally, 12% of parents were aware of cases where such individuals attempted to gain their child’s trust online.

Law enforcement statistics indicate an annual increase in crimes against children related to sexual violence, exploitation, and pornography. There is also a steady rise in the number of children affected by such crimes.

It is essential to educate children and their parents on how to use the Internet safely and avoid dangers, as well as to provide clear information on where to turn if a child encounters a problem. For this reason, the website www.kids.pomogut.by was launched in November 2019 with the participation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and support from UNICEF in Belarus.

Currently, the portal is operating on a new platform (kidspomogut.by) with updated information provided by Kaspersky experts. The site will continue to be regularly updated with relevant materials and new features.

Professional psychological support for children and parents is offered by specialists from the Minsk City Center for Social Services for Families and Children. Consultations are available in a convenient format via online chat or telephone.