“Hope For Children” CRC Policy Centre expresses its deep concern regarding the way the public discourse surrounding children under the legal care of the State has evolved in recent days, following the publication of related content on social media.
As an organisation, we express our support for the public statement issued by the Commissioner for the Protection of Children's Rights, who has addressed this matter.
The protection of children cannot coexist with their public exposure.
Every child has the right to privacy, dignity, safety, and protection from all forms of exploitation or stigmatisation. Children under the legal care of the State have often already experienced circumstances that make them particularly vulnerable. Any further exposure of these children in the public sphere, whether direct or indirect, may increase their vulnerability and have long-term consequences for their psychosocial development.
Public discussion regarding potential shortcomings in the child protection system is not only legitimate but also necessary. Society has the right to demand transparency and effective services for all children. However, criticism of policies, institutions, or the competent authorities must never come at the expense of exposing the children themselves.
Children must never be used as a source of content, a subject of public commentary, or a means of social or political confrontation. Neither visibility, publicity, nor the pursuit of influence can outweigh a child's fundamental right to protection.
“Hope For Children” and CRC Policy Centre call on all citizens to act responsibly and refrain from sharing or reproducing videos or other material that exposes children or may lead, directly or indirectly, to their identification. Every share increases a child's exposure and may prolong the harmful consequences they face. Choosing not to circulate such content is a meaningful act of protecting children's rights.
At the same time, we call on everyone who shapes public discourse—including media organisations, content creators, social media users, public figures, and members of the public—to exercise heightened responsibility when referring to children. Before publishing any post, video, or comment, one simple but fundamental question should always be asked:
Does this genuinely serve the best interests of the child, or does it serve other purposes?
Protecting children is a shared responsibility. Children under the legal care of the State, like every child, are not content. They are not stories for public consumption, nor are they instruments for increasing anyone's public visibility or influence. They are children, with the right to grow up in safety, respect, and dignity. It is our collective duty to uphold and protect that right.
