Better Internet for Kids

In 2024, the Czech helpline handled a large volume of crisis intervention services, once again over 100,000 contacts (110,147) - mostly by phone. The increase in contacts related to particularly challenging topics was around 20 per cent (suicidal topics + 23 per cent (5869), self-harm +18 per cent (4725)). The crisis helpline does not receive funding from the state.

In 2024, the Safety Line handled 13 per cent more contacts through phone, chat, and email compared to 2023, with an average of 302 contacts per day. The majority of calls were to the 116 111-telephone service (102,673 calls), which is available to all children and students up to the age of 26, free of charge, anonymously, and 24/7. 58 per cent of the calls were one-time contacts, while 42 per cent were repeat calls. Overall, the call volume to the most well-known helpline crisis intervention line has remained at 52 per cent of callers. The line encourages children to call repeatedly when the lines are fully staffed.

Rise in mental health issues

Within the consultations themselves, the Safety Line continues to experience an increase in calls on more difficult topics, and the time spent on each call has risen by 9 per cent year-on-year, with a quarter of all calls now lasting longer than 30 minutes. 
Among the top six most frequently addressed issues that children and young people have with the helpline were those in the psychological domain - with suicide issues increasing year-on-year

Among the top six most frequently addressed issues that children and young people raise with Linka bezpečí were psychological concerns such as suicide, which saw a 23 per cent increase year-on-year, as well as self-harm and anxiety, which increased by 18 per cent and 31 per cent respectively.  Other mental health disorders increased by 26 per cent, and depression by 10 per cent. Eating disorders have also increased, rising by more than 50 per cent from 2023, with consultants addressing this in around 1,000 cases. 

A more significant year-on-year decline in the frequency of the topic in contacts with clients was recorded by the Sexual Maturation Line (a decrease of 10 per cent). At the same time, there was a 13 per cent increase in the number of interventions carried out by other institutions (Poison Information Centre, Health Care Centre, Police) in the interest of the client (221 in total).

In addition to the telephone service, the number of contacts through chat-based crisis intervention also increased by 32 per cent in 2024, as did email counselling, which rose by 23 per cent. The Safety Line plans to continue expanding chat-based crisis support in 2025.

Parents helpline contacted more frequently

The parent Helpline, which can be contacted by parents, grandparents, or even educators, received 12 per cent more contacts (3,092) in 2024 than in the previous year. Family relationships were again the most common topic, with a 14 per cent increase in related contacts. Topics such as parenting, divorce and disputes over children were the most prominent.

The helpline for parents also saw a rise in issues related to domestic violence in families and child dependency, especially in relation to addiction to social networking and computer games, but also in cases of use of drugs such as marijuana. On the topic of school, the Parentline observed an increase in activity from parents contacting them about situations at school, particularly concerning communication with teachers or bullying.

Further information about the Czech Republic's Safer Internet Centre can be found on the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) public portal, including links to its national websites and other contact information. Similar information can be found on the BIK portal for all Safer Internet Centres in Europe.