The launch of DeafKidz Defenders: An innovative digital platform making the internet safer for children

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“I remember a child who was extremely quiet on the first day of the programme. On day two, he walked in looking skeptical again. [When] we announced that it was time to play some more games – his face changed immediately and a small and beautiful smile appeared. This image has stuck with me as it felt like he was finally involved in something that he could do well, something that didn’t require him to use language and where he could just be himself”, shares Debra, a session leader, carrying out the pilot of the Deaf Kidz Defenders programme with deaf children in Pakistan and South Africa. 

The DeafKidz Defenders programme is designed to teach deaf and hard-of-hearing children how to better recognise abuse, say no and seek help. 

Children with disabilities are at a higher risk of violence and abuse. Evidence shows that deaf children are three times more likely to be abused online than children who hear due to a variety of reasons, including barriers to communication, existing resources not being accessible, and lack of safeguarding in education. DeafKidz Defenders came up as a response to this. Developed by DeafKidz International and funded by Safe Online Initiative at End Violence, it is an early intervention, interactive, accessible digital platform to help deaf children stay safe from online abuse and exploitation.  

DeafKidz International organised a dissemination event in November to showcase the key findings and impact of the pilot children’s toolkit. The event also initiated the full roll-out of the DeafKidz Defenders programme in Pakistan and South Africa. This programme is an opportunity for deaf children to increase their awareness of risks both online and face-to-face and inform them of their options should they feel unsafe. 

“It is partnerships with organisations like Deafkidz that truly embody [End Violence’s] raison d'ê·tre which is to support cutting-edge projects that help to develop the knowledge and capacity of all stakeholders fighting online CSEA across the globe and particularly in countries where there is currently little related infrastructure in place,” said Dr. Howard Taylor, Executive Director, End Violence Partnership at the launch of the programme.

It is partnerships with organisations like Deafkidz that truly embody [End Violence’s] raison d'ê·tre which is to support cutting-edge projects that help to develop the knowledge and capacity of all stakeholders fighting online CSEA.

Dr. Howard Taylor, Executive Director, End Violence Partnership

The main component of the DeafKidz Defenders programme is a package of child-friendly online animations that explain – with no written or oral language – seven key safety messages, each of which are followed by seven games designed to reinforce the concepts of the theme.

The games were developed from a deaf perspective with input from a working group of various experts including child protection officers, deaf teachers and online digital specialists. The games are highly visual, interactive and energetic with minimal text and no auditory/atmospheric input. The games use body language, gestures and facial expression to convey the important messages.

The pilot of the programs, which took place in 10 deaf schools in Pakistan and South Africa, reached 620 children aged 5-17. 91 per cent of these children assessed had increased their knowledge after completing the sessions, and it left educators better equipped too. 98 per cent of teachers felt more confident teaching their children how to keep safe from abuse. 

Games for learning about my safety are such a new idea. I have played a lot of games online but they were confusing as they were for hearing people. With the DeafKidz Defenders program, I feel safe and prepared to deal with any challenge. I will protect my sister and friends also and teach them.

 Student, Pakistan

Children are accessing the internet at increasingly younger ages. This includes deaf children, who are often left out of online safety education and miss out on informal learning, such as chatting with peers or overhearing information about online safety. Deaf children are also more at risk of cyberbullying, as they may misinterpret online posts or miss subtle cues of online behaviour. Exposure to online abuse can have a profound impact on the lives of deaf children as they grow older, affecting their mental health and leading to poor social and emotional development. 

Unfortunately, there are currently no digital safeguarding and protection provisions specifically aimed at deaf children. Consultations with deaf children in South Africa, Jamaica, and the United Kingdom showed that 92 per cent of children were not aware of any learning resources on abuse and exploitation.  

“Safe Online is funding innovative technology solutions to fight online child sexual exploitation and abuse and our partnership with Deaf Kidz Defenders is a great example of our work in making the internet safe for some of the most vulnerable children”, says Marija Manojlovic, Director, Safe Online. 

Through these educational games on Deaf Kidz Defenders, deaf children will learn to better protect themselves from abuse – be it online or face-to-face – learning what a risk situation might look like, what’s appropriate or inappropriate in different situations, and building a foundation of increased knowledge and awareness. These games will reduce deaf children’s vulnerability to abuse and exploitation while also promoting their resilience and self-advocacy. 

“This work is innovative and progressive,” said Steve Crump, Founder of DeafKidz International, who is working tirelessly for children as an End Violence Champion. “Deaf Kidz Defenders is a resource that transcends borders and which demonstrates End Violence’s commitment to funding and supporting work that investors usually see as ‘too expensive’ or ‘too challenging’. Yet here we have a digital capability that has been developed and shaped by deaf children, for deaf children.  A resource where through the use of their ‘super-powers’ they can truly be DeafKidz Defenders.”

Read more about how DeafKidz Defenders works through its pilot report and about the launch of the full programme.

Watch these videos on the DeafKidz Defenders Programme in schools in Pakistan and South Africa

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