New Project Addressing the Sexual Exploitation of Children Online

While the Internet opens up a world of knowledge for most people, it is also a doorway which allows those with less honourable intentions to take advantage of vulnerable young users, Radiona Nikova of the State Agency for Child Protection (SACP) argued at a discussion on the possibilities and dangers posed by the Internet community on Friday, the 7th of December.

Eight hundred children nationwide have received counselling as part of the SACP’s Online Teenager Programme, and a special Website, www.stopech.sacp.government.bg, has been designed to address the sexual exploitation of children. The SACP has received over 400 tip-offs, mostly about illegal Internet content such as child pornography, the sale of materials, and child grooming.

The aim of the talks is to create more Internet filter systems to help minimize risks. The Agency has developed the programme together with the Bulgarian Institute of Philosophical Studies within the Council of Europe’s three-year Building a Europe For and With Children programme. Pupils of Sofia’s John Atanasoff Secondary School for Electronics, parents and business executives are all taking part.

BTA