Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF, is among the experts expressing growing concerns about the well-being of children who were exposed to these online risks before the pandemic.

If you are being bullied online, you may be attacked everywhere and there is no escape route, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On this #SaferInternetDay, read our advice on how to protect yourself and prioritize your mental health online.

– UNICEF (@UNICEF) February 9, 2021

“For children who are already harmed or injured – online or offline – the increase in screen time may have exacerbated their fear,” she said in a Safer Internet Day statement.

“School closings, physical distancing, decreased services and increased stress on already vulnerable families have disrupted and reduced some of the protective measures available to them.”

Sexual predators lurk online

Because of the pandemic, children have seen their worlds shrink to just their homes and the screens of their computers, laptops, cell phones, or other devices.

However, according to a United Nations-sponsored initiative to eradicate the sexual exploitation and abuse of children online, the Internet was “not designed with child safety in mind”.

“It is estimated that 750,000 people want to engage with children online for sexual purposes, a challenge so large and complex that no one can solve it alone,” says the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children the support of Safer Internet Day.

Meanwhile, UNICEF cited evidence suggesting that spending more time online translates into fewer outdoor activities for children, as well as lowering quality of sleep, increased anxiety symptoms, and unhealthy eating habits.

A safer world for children

The UN agency believes that Safer Internet Day can be an opportunity to redefine a safer world for children online by prioritizing and protecting their physical and mental wellbeing.

“For children and teenagers, preparing for a friendly, connected world after COVID means balancing their online and offline world, cultivating safe, positive relationships with those around them, and having access to the support they need. “Said Mrs. Fore.

UNICEF has recommended three lines of action, starting with encouraging governments to train health, education and social services workers on the effects of COVID-19 on child wellbeing and ensuring core child protection and mental health services are available during the pandemic stay open and beyond.

Parents should also be given support to help their children understand the risks of operating online and using digital technologies. You must also watch out for any associated signs of distress.

Schools also play a role in providing children with access to school-based counseling services, including virtual ones, and guidelines that address mental health and child protection concerns.

“For children and adolescents themselves, preparing for a friendly, connected world after COVID means balancing their online and offline world, cultivating safe, positive relationships with those around them, and having access to the support they need . “said Mrs. Fore.