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February 11 is Safer Internet Day.
In Australia, the eSafety Commissioner leads this important day, encouraging all of us to help make the internet a safer and more positive place.
At ICMEC Australia, we prioritise creating a safer digital environment by addressing the harmful impacts of online child sexual exploitation (CSE). Our dedicated focus is on fostering an online space that promotes positive outcomes, supports the development of a civil society, and places child protection at its core.
We all have a role to play in fostering a safer, more inclusive internet.
Here are five ways you can contribute:
1. Have conversations about online safety
2. Learn about online risks
3. Report harmful content
4. Practice respect and kindness online
5. Share online safety resources
You can view more resources here and learn more about how ICMEC Australia works towards a world where online technology can’t be used to harm children here.
Let's prioritise online safety every day and work together to build a safer digital future.
Hear from our CEO, Colm Gannon
In 2024, ICMEC Australia held two key industry events that underscored what we stand for: fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and inspiring action. Together, we are making meaningful strides toward creating a world where no child can be exploited. You can learn more about the importance of these events through the highlights below.
At our Symposium in October 2024, leaders from financial services, telecommunications, law enforcement, and government came together to tackle the ever-evolving challenges of child sexual exploitation (CSE). The event fostered open dialogue and encouraged bold, innovative solutions, with discussions focusing on strengthening cross-sector collaboration, leveraging technology and data to combat exploitation, and ensuring leadership and accountability to sustain impactful public-private initiatives.
The SaferAI for Children Summit at KPMG in October 2024, explored AI’s dual role as both a risk and a tool in child protection. Voices from government, academia, law enforcement, and the tech sector highlighted the dangers of AI misuse and its potential to transform how we prevent and address harm. The insights shared will guide our efforts to ensure technology is a force for good.
To stay updated on our upcoming events, visit our event page for the latest information.
Protecting children in the digital age has never been more crucial. The rapid advancements in Generative AI bring the promise of significant societal benefits, yet also present new risks. Developed in collaboration by the SaferAI for Children Coalition - a group of child protection organisations, academic experts, law enforcement agencies, and other public sector partners - this paper offers a comprehensive exploration of both the opportunities and challenges AI presents for child safety, and what this looks like in an Australian context.
We examine the ways AI-enabled tools can be misused for child sexual exploitation, but also highlight how AI can be a powerful force for good - detecting harmful content, aiding in investigations, and protecting vulnerable children. This discussion paper is a call to action and a guide, advocating for responsible use of AI to protect children and ensure that technology enhances rather than threatens their safety.
Download the SaferAI for Children coalition's, inaugural discussion paper to learn more about how we can collaborate to leverage AI's potential for a safer digital environment for all children.
To learn more about the work ICMEC Australia do, visit our research page.
ICMEC Australia’s September Brown Bag event featured Susanne Drakborg, Senior Programs Manager at World Childhood Foundation. Susanne has led the World Childhood Foundation’s Child Safety Online program for the past 17 years and is the team lead for their Stella Polaris initiative.
During the webinar, Susanne shared learnings from Stella Polaris - focused on using AI to enhance the fight against child sexual exploitation (CSE) - and her presentation highlighted the crucial role of prevention in addressing this issue. Susanne shared fascinating projects that Stella Polaris is implementing which creatively utilise AI to protect children, and the insights and experience she shared offered valuable lessons that we can apply in Australia to strengthen our global efforts against CSE.
ICMEC Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners throughout Australia and their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and Elders past and present.
