The Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation, which outlines collaboration in the field of preventing all forms of abuse of children and youth on the internet.
The signing of this agreement will obligate both parties to, while respecting an interdisciplinary and holistic approach, carry out activities aimed at the prevention and protection of children from all forms of abuse, particularly in the digital environment. All activities will be carried out in a coordinated manner with the joint participation of all relevant stakeholders—the competent state authorities, parents and guardians, educational institutions, relevant social protection agencies, including, of course, children, students, and young people.
The Center for Missing and Exploited Children has recognized the internet as a domain where young people currently spend most of their time—where they learn, find entertainment, and form friendships. Therefore, the internet is also a potential place where exploitation could occur.
“The purpose of this Memorandum is to enhance cooperation with The Center for Missing and Exploited Children, especially considering national, regional, and global risks, challenges, and threats to child safety in the use of information and communication technologies. Through mutual coordination and communication, one of the primary goals of the Ministry and the Center is to combat peer violence and child abuse on the internet,” stated Minister Jovanović.
Igor Jurić, President of The Center for Missing and Exploited Children, emphasized the critical importance of having the support of decision-makers for the work of the non-governmental sector, as this significantly increases the possibility of achieving meaningful change.
“The Ministry of Information and Telecommunications is an exceptionally important partner for us, especially in cases of missing children. According to our statistics, a significant number of children leave home due to the persuasion of individuals they have met online or after experiencing abuse online,” Jurić said. He added that he believes this collaboration will yield results, leading to a reduction in the number of disappearances in the coming period.
International Missing Children’s Day is observed on May 25th each year around the world. This day also serves as a reminder of the importance of child safety on the internet, primarily due to the dangers lurking in the digital environment.
