Empowering children

through the use of new

technologies

2012

ISPCC

The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) was founded in 1889

It is Ireland’s oldest and most well-known children’s charity

The ISPCC has a long, proud history of service delivery and advocacy on behalf of children

CHILDLINE

Childline is a 24 hour listening service for children up to the age of 18

Childline seeks to empower and support children through the use of telecommunications and information technology

What does Childline do?

Childline listens to children by using Active listening skills and Child centred practice

It is an non directive and non-judgemental service

Childline phone service is available 24 hours a day every day of the year

Children can also contact Childline, access support and information by logging on to childline.ie

Young people can talk to Childline’s One to One live chat service on the web and by text. These services are available from 2pm-10pm daily.

Online Consultation, Support

and Information

•By logging on to www.childline young people can access support around issues that affect them

•They can also access information about their rights

•They can gives us their views about our services by completing our Viewpoint questionnaire

Giving children control

Childline is a service for and owned by young people which means

The young person can decide what they want to talk aboutThey remain anonymous – they don’t have to give a name so there are no consequences to contacting Childline.

Total number of calls received:839,258Total number of contacts: 547,340Childline Phone: 523,804Childline Online Contact: 23,536

Childline Online ServicesTeentxt 17,082Web: 6,454Total 23,536

Childline stats 2011

Profile stats 2011

Phone OnlinePersonal life

43% 30%

Abuse & Welfare

14% 9%

Mental Health

9% 18%

Sexuality 12% 6%

Relationships

8% 24%

Information 14% 13%

Some quotes from Viewpoint giving young people’s views of Childline online

•“They talked me through my problems and just asked questions and never assumed anything and they calmed me down if I was gonna do anything like kill myself or self harm and it’s comforting knowing someone is there to listen to you”

•“It means you don’t have to pick up the phone talk out loud”

•“It’s just real simple and easy and it’s great that you feel you can talk about anything”

“They listen to you and you can have your say and they don’t give their opinion or tell you what to do”

“The One to One service helps us, young people, to know what our rights are and to try and solve our problems with the people we trust before asking "experts“ for help. which is great”

Some quotes from Viewpoint giving young people’s views of Teentxt

“You can tell them anything and you know they wouldn’t dare leek a word. I love Teentxt!”

“The people you are talking to, it feels like they are the only person who understands what you are going through and it’s a nice feeling…”

“It’s so easy to get in contact with, I would always be way too nervous to call but texting is so much easier and it’s so helpful”.

“The best thing about Teentext is that you can talk to someone when no one else is around and it makes you feel like you are wanted somewhere”

“I was kind of scared at first but it was so much easier than I expected, the Teentext worker was so supportive and it really gave me a chance to think things through when before it was all just spinning in my head. It helped me feel more in control and has just helped me so much”

Childline Online Case Study

JADE

Age 13

Being bullied/self harm

Advantages (for young people) of Child centred online support• Easily accessible

• Young people feel safe because of non – judgemental approach • Children get a real sense of anonymity

• Takes less time to build trust and rapport

• Children tend to be more open

• Gives young people more choice

• User satisfaction