New intelligence briefing analyses the risks children with disabilities face online

A girl runs.

Across the world, children are spending more time online than ever before. The internet poses countless opportunities – and risks – for children. And for girls and boys with disabilities, there is are a greater set of risks that are not fully understood, yet impacting such children every day. With an estimated 120 million children with disabilities active online, action and evidence on the topic is urgently needed.

In a new intelligence brief, DeafKidz International, WePROTECT Global Alliance, and World Childhood Foundation shed light on the risks children with disabilities face online, with a specific focus on sexual exploitation and abuse.

There is a significant gap in the data on the sexual exploitation and abuse of disabled children online, which means that it is currently not possible to accurately know the level of incidence or prevalence.

Intelligence Briefing 2021

The report traces the increased risks of children with disabilities to a number of factors, including poverty, extensive time spent online, lack of education and awareness, gender, loneliness and isolation, and the failure of the global child protection community to adequately protect children with disabilities. The report also lays out a number of recommendations for the global community to tackle these challenges – and urges immediate, collaborative action to help kids stay safe online.

Next week, WePROTECT, DeafKidz, World Childhood Foundation and End Violence will host a webinar on this report as part of the Together to #ENDviolence global campaign and Solutions Summit Series. Register today to attend this event and learn more about the report's findings.

Explore the intelligence briefing in full.