Cyberviolence and the Child Online Protection Bureau

The internet has completely transformed our lives, and nearly everyone enjoys its benefits. We connect with friends and family globally, watch movies, listen to music, join social communities, expand our knowledge, and develop skills and talents. The internet has made all these activities easy. It has made our lives more convenient and the world closer and more accessible. In contemporary times, children are exposed to screens from a very young age. It is recommended not to expose them to screens before the age of two. However, regardless of the circumstances or age, it is essential to keep in mind that despite its numerous benefits, the internet also poses dangers – both in general and particularly for children.

According to a survey conducted by the Research Department at the Ministry of National Security in 2017 among children and adolescents on the issue of virtual injuries, and online violence and bullying, one out of three children in Israel has experienced threats and verbal violence on the internet, one out of four has been a target of shaming, humiliation, or ostracism, one out of five has been approached with messages of sexual nature, one out of ten has suffered sexual harassment, and one out of ten children has been targeted for extortion or identity theft.

Distress signs that may indicate online abuse

• Behavior changes: the child struggles to sleep at night or has difficulty getting out of bed in the morning. They may lose interest in eating or engaging in their usual hobbies, etc. The parents may observe signs of irritability, restlessness, crying, oversensitivity, or any other uncommon behavior over an extended period of time.
• The child covers the mobile screen or shuts it down abruptly in the presence of parents or others. Conversely, the child unusually disconnects from the screen.
• Withdrawal: the child shuts himself or herself in the room, refuses to meet with friends, refuses to attend class gatherings, etc.
• Dependency: the child develops an addiction to the mobile device and spends hours with it.

If you recognize any signs in your child’s behavior or have any concerns that your child is experiencing any online abuse, it is crucial that you find the right moment to have a private conversation.

How to speak with your children

Ensure that your children understand and believe that you are there for them unconditionally. Encourage your children to talk, even if they feel embarrassed or guilty. Speak with sincere concern and ask one or more of the following questions with empathy:

• Has anything happened to you online?
• Has anyone hurt you online?
• Have you been approached online by someone you do not know?
• Has anyone, whether you know them or not, asked you for anything online?

Allow your children to share what is in their heart. Provide them with the confidence that you will work together to find solutions that suit their age and maturity. Contact the school counselor, or hotline 105, which is staffed with trained professionals including police officers and civil experts.

The Child Online Protection Bureau

The Israeli government established a unique national integrated civilian police authority, a first of its kind not only in Israel but globally. This authority, led by the Ministry of National Security and Lahav 433, works with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, and the Ministry of Justice. All these entities aim to create a safe online environment for children and adolescents, including social media, and foster a sense of personal and public security online.

About the Child Online Protection Bureau

The bureau comprises professional headquarters and a dedicated police unit to combat online criminal activities that target minors. Each component of the bureau aims to reduce violence and crime on the web. This involves integrating legal enforcement with educational and therapeutic approaches through public relations activities. The goal is to raise awareness for safe web-surfing, reinforce enforcement and policing actions, enhance deterrence against cyberbullying, establish online volunteer shifts to create a secure virtual environment, and operate a national hotline for reporting and responding to the public's inquiries around the clock.

The bureau operates in the following fields:

• Engaging in criminal and alternative enforcement to reduce online violence and crime.
• Disseminating information and raising awareness for safe web-surfing and a secure virtual environment.
• Operating a national center for reporting and responding to the public's inquiries: hotline 105.
• Enhancing deterrence against cyberbullying.
• Increasing reporting, public trust and personal security.
• Promoting legislative processes and amendments in the bureau’s fields of operation.
• Training activists and volunteers.

Hotline 105

Hotline 105 is a unique national hotline that consolidates all inquiries and information related to offenses against minors on the web. The hotline provides public responses 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can contact hotline 105 from any device at any hour. It also offers an online form on its website, available in Hebrew, English, and Arabic.

The hotline is staffed 24/7 by police officers with relevant training in the areas of the bureau's work, as well as representatives of the partner government ministries: the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Health.

The bureau is tasked with handling inquiries and reports related to harmful actions, violence, and offenses against children and adolescents on the web, sorting and referring them for further treatment as needed.

Children and adolescents, parents, professionals and the entire community can contact the hotline on any issues related to harmful actions against minors online, such as:

• Immediate reporting of online criminal offenses: extortion, threats, impersonation, gambling, fraud, etc.
• Reporting of online emergency and distress situations.
• Online sexual offenses: prostitution, indecent acts, rape or attempted rape, sexual harassment, and more.
• Online offenses.
• Cyberbullying: shaming, ostracism, boycott.
• Help in removing offensive contents.
• Counseling and information on safe web-surfing and minor abuse (ages 0-18).

How to reach hotline 105

You can contact hotline 105 from any device at any hour. You can also use the online contact form on the website. The form is available in Hebrew, English, and Arabic.

Unit 105

Lahav 433 of the Israel Police has inaugurated unit 105, a specialized force dedicated to combating online criminal activity aimed at minors. This unit’s purpose is to prevent criminal offenses of violence against minors in the cyberspace. The unit implements various enforcement measures, including proactive enforcement activities and situational prevention strategies designed to curtail opportunities for criminal actions. Comprising a national hotline, an intelligence division, an investigative division and a civil division, the unit is staffed by a team of computer and cyberspace experts.