We, the undersigned stakeholders, recognizing the urgent need to protect children and young people in the Western Balkans from online risks and threats, are pleased to announce the establishment of the Western Balkans Network of Child Internet Safety Centers (WB-SIC Network). The network brings together already well-established Safer Internet Centers across six Western Balkan countries and partners actively engaged on the protection of children and youth in the digital environment.
As digital technology is playing a growing integral role in the lives of children and youth, it has become increasingly important to address the risks they face in the online space. These risks include exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online grooming, exploitation, and privacy breaches. In 2023 alone, more than 80,000 reports containing child sexual abuse materials were generated in the Western Balkans, a six-fold increase if compared to the pre-Covid period. Our Centers together have contributed to the removal of more than 80% of such content. In response to these challenges, the WB-SIC network aims to foster collaboration among institutional, social and industry stakeholders to promote safety and well-being of children and youth in the digital world, education and capacity building of parents and professionals, as well as awareness of digital citizens – the general public.
Through the WB-SIC network, we pledge to:
- Support for Online Victims: Create and further expand systems of support for children who are victims of online exploitation and abuse, including accessible reporting mechanisms, counselling, and legal assistance.
- Prevent ONSEA, Raise Awareness and Educate: Increase public awareness about the risks children face online and promote digital literacy programs for children, parents, educators, and caregivers.
- Enhance Cooperation: Facilitate cross-border cooperation between Western Balkans countries to ensure consistent standards and coordinated efforts in addressing child and youth digital safety, including efforts of the WB& and the international networks.
- Strengthen Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Work towards developing and ONSEA strengthening legal and regulatory mechanisms to protect children and youth from online harm while respecting human rights, privacy and data protection.
- Collaborate with Industry Partners: Engage with internet service providers, social media platforms, and technology companies to ensure they take responsibility for safeguarding children and young people and adhere to best practices for online safety and protection.
- Advocate for the implementation of EU Acquis and international standards: All our countries are in various stages of EU integration. We will work to align the EU acquis and other international human rights norms, to ensure that child and youth safety in the digital environment are prioritised across the region and that laws and policies are compliant with EU and international standards.
The WB-SIC network will operate on the following core principles:
- Child & Youth Centered Approach: Every action and initiative will prioritize the rights, safety, and well-being of children and young people.
- Child and youth participation: Digital space shall not be shaped and run only by adults. Children and young people need to strongly contribute and shape the digital space based on their needs and expectations, including “safety-by-design” in every digital product accessed by children and youth.
- Collaboration and Partnership: By working together with governments, civil society, private sector, and international organizations, we aim to create a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder approach to online child safety.
- Innovation and Adaptability: We commit to using innovative solutions and adapting our strategies in response to the evolving digital landscape.
As we embark on this important initiative, we call on all relevant stakeholders to join us in our mission to protect children and youth in the Western Balkans from violence and exploitation and any other digital harms. Together, we can make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of children and youth across the Western Balkans and beyond and create a safer digital environment for future generations.
Signatories:
Altin HAZIZAJ – Safe Internet Centre Kosovo
Belioza ÇOKU – Albanian National Child Helpline (ALO 116-111)
Amela EFENDIĆ – SIC Bosnia and Herzegovina / IFS-EMMAUS
Dragi Zmijanac – First Children’s Embassy in the World MEGJASHI, Republic of N/ Macedonia
Borjana DINE – Safe Internet Centre Albania
Marija ANDJELKOVIĆ – ASTRA Serbia
Ena GRBOVIĆ – Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Montenegro
Tomislav RAMLJAK – Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Bosnia and Herzegovina