Young people discuss why they enjoy playing video games

NEW YORK, 1 September 2020 – Government leaders, business executives and heads of United Nations organizations and multilateral agencies renewed their commitment today to connect every school and community to the internet by 2030. At a high-level virtual meeting, Generation Unlimited: Connecting Half the World to Opportunities , they pledged to…

Governments’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have had devastating effects on women and girls. Gender-Based Violence is a problem of human-rights, public health and development. It is also a problem that has had devastating effects for women and girls during the COVID-19 pandemic.   This real-time emergent learning brief has been prepared for…

The coronavirus outbreak has caused major disruptions to daily life and children are feeling these changes deeply. While the return to school will be not only welcome but exciting for many students, others will be feeling anxious or frightened. Here are tips to help your children navigate some of the complicated emotions they may be facing with…, My child is scared to go back to school. How can I help him feel at ease? , Starting school or starting a new school year can be stressful at the best of times, let alone during a global pandemic. You can make him feel at ease by having an open conversation about what it is that’s worrying him and letting him know that it’s natural to feel anxious. Children may feel nervous or reluctant to return to school, especially if…, My child’s school is recommending the wearing of protective clothing, which is making my child feel more nervous. What should I say to her?, Approach this conversation with empathy, saying that you know she is feeling anxious about coronavirus, but that it’s healthy to talk about our worries and emotions. Children may also get upset or frustrated if they are finding it hard to wear masks, especially when running or playing. You can reassure your children that lots of adults are working…, How can I encourage my child to follow precautions (such as frequent handwashing, physical distancing, etc.) at school without alarming her?, One of the best ways to keep children safe from COVID-19 and other diseases is to simply encourage regular handwashing. It doesn't need to be a scary conversation. Sing along with their favourite song or do a dance together to make learning fun. Make sure to teach them about how even though germs are invisible, they could still be there. When…, My child is not part of the same group as his close friends returning to school and is feeling even more isolated. How can he feel more connected to the classroom and his friends?, If your child’s school starts to return gradually, your child may be anxious about being separated from his friends. When the official reopening of schools is announced, help him get ready to return to school by sharing information on when and how this will happen.  Letting your kids know ahead of time that schools may need to close again will…, How can I gently check in to see how my child is coping?, It’s important to be calm and proactive in your conversations with children – check in with them to see how they are doing. Their emotions will change regularly and you need to show them that’s okay. Whether at school or at home, caregivers can engage children in creative activities, such as playing and drawing, to help them express and…, Is there anything I should look out for as my child starts back at school?, In addition to checking in on your child’s physical health and learning when she goes back to school, you should also keep an eye out for signs of stress and anxiety. COVID-19 may be impacting your child’s mental health, and it’s important to demonstrate that it’s normal and OK to feel overwhelmed at times. When in doubt, empathy and support are…, My child is worried about bullying at school and online, how can I talk to them about it?, If your child is worried about bullying either in person or online, it’s important to let them know that they are not alone and they can always talk to you or another trusted adult. The more you talk to your children about bullying , the more comfortable they will be telling you if they see or experience it. Check in with your children daily and…

BEIRUT, 28 AUGUST 2020 – 300,000 people [1] in Beirut continue to face a lack of access to critical safe water and sanitation services, UNICEF warned today, more than three weeks after the huge explosion tore through Lebanon’s capital. While public water infrastructure thankfully sustained only minor damage and remains mostly functional, the…

WHAT: An on-the-record pre-embargoed press briefing on UNICEF’s latest in the Report Card Series, Worlds of Influence: Understanding what shapes child well-being in rich countries. The report ranks EU and OECD countries in a league table according to child well-being including their mental and physical health and academic and social skill set. The…

NEW YORK, 27 August 2020 – At least a third of the world’s schoolchildren – 463 million children globally – were unable to access remote learning when COVID-19 shuttered their schools, according to a new UNICEF report released today as countries across the world grapple with their ‘back-to-school’ plans. “For at least 463 million children whose…

Intro, 26 August 2020   Masks help stop the COVID-19 virus from spreading, but that doesn’t make them easy to introduce to children, as many parents have been discovering. The practice of wearing a mask to reduce the transmission of germs has a long history in some countries. But for many families, 2020 will be remembered as the first time putting on a…, Why wear a mask or face covering?, One of the main ways that COVID-19 spreads is through respiratory droplets that people expel when they talk, sing, cough or sneeze. While research is ongoing, we now know that the virus can be spread by people not showing symptoms, meaning some people can be contagious and not even realize it. That is one of the reasons why physical distancing is…, What type of mask should I get for my family? , Non-medical masks (also called fabric masks or face coverings): If you and your family live in a place where COVID-19 is widespread and don’t have any COVID-19 symptoms, then non-medical masks are recommended. Medical masks: Medical masks are in short supply globally because of the pandemic. They are recommended if you or a family member is at a…, What type of fabric mask is best?, Fabric masks or face coverings come in a wide variety of materials and can be something you make at home or buy in a store. While research into the use of fabric masks is ongoing, their effectiveness depends on the types of fabric used and the number of layers. The World Health Organization recommends three layers made up of: an inner layer of…, When should my family wear a mask?, Check to see if your local authorities require you to wear masks in certain settings and for any age-specific recommendations where you live.  Whether your children should wear a mask depends on a number of factors, including their age and ability to safely and appropriately use a mask. See UNICEF and the World Health Organization's guidance for…, When shouldn’t you wear a mask?, Masks should not be used worn by anyone who is unable to remove the mask without help, including infants and young children, or anyone having difficulty breathing. UNICEF and WHO recommend that children aged 5 years and under should not be required to wear masks. This is based on child safety and recognizes that children may reach developmental…, What should I look for when getting a mask for my children? , Many masks are designed for adults and won’t fit children properly. If you are buying masks, choose one that is appropriately sized for your child. Whether you are buying or making masks for your children, check that they cover their mouth, nose and chin, and don’t have any gaps on the sides or block their vision. Make sure they can breathe…, How to clean a fabric mask, Wash fabric masks using soap or detergent, preferably in hot water (at least 60 degrees Celsius) at least once a day. If machine washing, use the warmest appropriate setting for the type of fabric. If handwashing, use hot, soapy water. After washing, the mask should be dried completely before being worn again. Store masks in a clean bag., How to wear a mask correctly , COVID-19 how to wear a mask correctly Correctly wearing, removing and caring for a mask is important to protect your health and those around you. Practice following this checklist with your family to turn it into a routine. When putting on a mask Always start by washing your hands with soap and water before putting on a mask.  Make sure the mask…, Talking to your child, Talking to your children about masks, The COVID-19 pandemic has upset family life around the world causing stress, anxiety and sadness. Understandably masks may add to such feelings for many children, especially in places where they are not used to wearing masks. For younger children in particular, mask wearing can be confusing and upsetting.  If your family hasn’t worn masks before,…

NEW YORK/STOCKHOLM, 26 August 2020 – Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) and UNICEF announced today a global partnership to help map school connectivity in 35 countries by the end of 2023. Mapping the internet connectivity landscape for schools and their surrounding communities is a critical first step towards providing every child with access to digital…

< Back to UNICEF COVID-19 portal   It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you’re hearing about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) right now. It’s also understandable if your children are feeling anxious, too. Children might find it difficult to understand what they are seeing online or on TV – or hearing from other people – so they can be…