Now Child Helplines Will Protect Young People

Global mobile operators’ association GSMA has marked the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by forming a partnership with Child Helpline International (CHI) to protect young people and safeguard their right to be heard.

The GSMA and CHI have signed an agreement that establishes a roadmap for promoting child helplines across the globe, including measures to strengthen relationships between national mobile operators and their in-country helplines and foster collaboration on issues such as a safer Internet for children.

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“Child Helpline International’s mission is to ensure that every call is answered, so every child in need of being heard can be heard. The GSMA is committed to playing its part in achieving this important goal,” said Anne Bouverot, director general, GSMA.

GSMA operator members who have pledged to support child helplines in their markets include Airtel, Avea, Axiata, Bouygues, China Mobile, China Unicom, Deutsche Telekom, Digicel, KDDI, KT, Millicom, NTT DOCOMO, Nuevatel, Ooredoo, Orange, SK Telecom, STC, Telecom Italia, Telefónica, Telekom Austria, Telenor Group, TeliaSonera, Telstra, VimpelCom, Vodafone and Zain.

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Existing and potential commitments amongst the mobile operators include, for example: assisting in the establishment of a helpline if none exists nationally; increasing awareness of helplines; and providing in-kind support or sponsorship. Commitments will vary by operator and by market.

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Last month, CHI launched the ‘Free Our Voices’ campaign to generate public support for child helplines internationally. Utilising custom sound recognition technology, visitors to the campaign website can sign the petition by verbally recording their name, instead of the usual written or digital signature.

Photo courtesy: Child Helpline International