Client Alert: Protecting Children Online on Universal Children's Day

November 19, 2024 - By Sharon F. Iskra, partner and leader of Bailey Glasser's Institutional Abuse & Neglect Team: On this Universal Children’s Day, celebrate with us by reflecting on all the wonders of childhood: the innocence, joy, curiosity, the energy and giggles, the pure love and trust of a child who looks up to you, depends on you, or even just brings light to your day through the gift of a smile. 

We long to see those qualities preserved through a safe and nurturing childhood. But there are hazards today to being a child, especially online, where children can be trapped and manipulated through child sexual abuse materials (CSAM). It’s up to every one of us to protect kids, whether they’re our own or those we encounter through work or friends. Child safety IS your business – and at Bailey Glasser, it’s our business too.

One of the best things we can do to protect a child is to be a genuinely safe person of trust for them. Practice these fundamentals as appropriate in the context of your relationship with a child, without scaring or burdening them:

1. Parents/caregivers, talk to your children regularly and in age-appropriate ways about online safety. They won’t be tricked into keeping things “secret” if they already know you know what’s out there, and you’ve told them it’s not their fault if they encounter a CSAM pop up or an inappropriate invitation. It may feel awkward for you to have those conversations initially, but on the flipside, if you don’t normalize the topic by having regular talks, how will your child be prepared to handle these situations or bring them to you unashamed?  See below for nationally-sourced resources on how to begin talking to your child.
2. Empower children, teach them to trust their instincts and repeat to them that if something doesn’t seem right or frightens them, take it to a safe adult right away. Tell them they will never be in trouble for telling such things, even if they make a mistake and do something they shouldn’t. Don’t scare them, but let them know it could happen that someone we thought was safe does something that makes them uncomfortable, and what they should do if that happens. Team with them, tell them you will face such things together.
3. Teach body integrity and self-worth. Children should understand that nobody has the right to see, touch, or ask for pictures of private parts of their bodies, and that it’s wrong for someone else (adult or child) to show those parts of themselves to any child. We forget to train children that they can and should say NO to anyone who make such requests (outside the context of a supervised medical exam) – not because bodies are bad or dirty – they are not-- but because children are too young to share bodies.
4. Remind children that adults are supposed to protect children, and children are supposed to be children. Children need to hear that they are not responsible for any adult’s happiness, gratification, or protection – especially if that protection is tied to a secret or a threat. Children should know they do not have to be gatekeepers or protectors for themselves (that’s your job) – you’re just letting them know what’s out there so you can help if something comes their way before you catch it. Let them know they’re in partnership with you and they are helping you protect them – but it’s never their job to look out for themselves. That’s too heavy a burden for any child.

Here are some excellent national resources for talking with children and coping with CSAM exposure if it has already happened, view this resource for parents: “Coping with Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) Exposure.”

Additional resources can be found here:

Jacob Wetterling Resource Center - Zero Abuse Project

Zero Abuse Project

CyberTipline

ISAFE Enterprises |

NetSmartz Home

ConnectSafely

Teenangels: the award-winning teen cybersafety expert group.

Common Sense Media: Age-Based Media Reviews for Families 

If you have further questions or need help with any legal matter relating to CSAM, child sexual abuse, trafficking or similar matters, contact partner Sharon F. Iskra, leader of Bailey Glasser’s Institutional Abuse and Neglect team.