One in five children has, at some point in their life, sent someone a partially nude or nude photo of themselves. Nearly half of children say they have received such an image from someone else. The amount of intimate material involving minors circulating online is on the rise.
This is confirmed not only by data from the 2025 research study Czech pupils in the online world, but also by statistics from the Czech national hotline STOPonline.cz, where illegal content can be reported. The most significant growth in reports concerns child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and content that young people have produced themselves, such as photos or videos they created and shared.
Children often fail to realise that it takes just one click for such material to spread beyond their control. Once online, it can be nearly impossible to stop. The consequences can include identity misuse, blackmail, and cyberbullying. Ultimately, it depends on who gains access to the material, and with what intentions.
Safer Internet Day 2026: opening difficult conversations
The Czech Safer Internet Centre brought these sensitive topics to the forefront during this year’s Safer Internet Day, marked on 10 February 2026 and throughout the month, together with partners including Palacký University in Olomouc, the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, the Police of the Czech Republic, and others.
As part of this international awareness day, the Czech Safer Internet Centre organised a series of events aimed at raising public awareness about the risks of children’s digital footprint and offering parents practical guidance on how to help their children stay safer online.
What do experts agree on? Key recommendations for parents and caregivers
Take an interest from an early age
58 per cent of children and young people who experienced some form of online aggression did not confide in anyone. Other surveys confirm a similar pattern: parents and caregivers often do not take enough interest in their children’s online lives.
They are not used to asking questions like: How was your time online today? Who are you following right now? What online game are you playing?
For today’s children, the online and offline worlds are deeply interconnected, they do not see them as separate entities. Therefore, it’s important to start asking these questions early and show that we understand the importance of their digital lives, and make these conversations a normal part of everyday family life.
Better yet, as a parent or caregiver, try playing a video game with your child. Watch their favorite show or online video together. They will appreciate it. And it may make it easier for them to come to you if they encounter problems online, rather than feeling afraid or ashamed.
Minimise your digital footprint: protect your privacy and theirs
Teach children and young people that the entire internet does not need to see every detail of your lives. And as adults, it is important to lead by example.
Be cautious about what information and photos you share on social media. When it comes to privacy, less is always more. Strengthen your privacy settings, and regularly review account security options. Small steps can make a big difference.
Stay informed and aware of the law
In the Czech Republic, it is illegal for persons under 18 to produce their own intimate content. Even forwarding intimate or pornographic material without the consent of the person depicted can constitute a criminal offense.
Understanding the legal framework is an important part of prevention.
Report child sexual content, it could save a life
If you encounter child sexual abuse material or other illegal content online, report it. You can do so anonymously and easily via your national hotline.
In many cases, such content can be removed relatively quickly. However, once copies are created and shared, these are almost impossible to track. Indifference helps no one, while reporting may protect a child from further harm.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
If your child finds themselves in a difficult situation – for example, facing online threats, blackmailing, cyberbullying, or other forms of aggression – do not hesitate to contact professionals working in helplines and hotlines.
In the Czech Republic, national helplines Linka bezpečí and Dětské krizové centrum provide immediate psychological support and guidance for families in crisis.
Prevention works
Safer Internet Day is also about collaboration. It calls on organisations and individuals alike to help spread awareness about safe online behaviour.
In the Czech Republic, this collaborative effort is growing stronger. The Safer Internet Centre has long supported the coordination of preventive activities across public institutions, private companies, and non-profit organisations.
This year’s Safer Internet Day once again showed that we are not alone in addressing these challenges. The topic attracted significant attention, not only from the media and experts, but especially from parents, whose demand for information and support is enormous.
Find out more about Safer Internet Day in the Czech Republic. Alternatively, find more information about the work of the Czech Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
More on online sexual coercion and extortion of children (OSCEC) (formerly referred to as sextortion)
One in five children has, at some point in their life, sent someone a partially nude or nude photo of themselves. Nearly half of children say they have received such an image from someone else. The amount of intimate material involving minors circulating online is on the rise.
This is confirmed not only by data from the 2025 research study Czech pupils in the online world, but also by statistics from the Czech national hotline STOPonline.cz, where illegal content can be reported. The most significant growth in reports concerns child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and content that young people have produced themselves, such as photos or videos they created and shared.
Children often fail to realise that it takes just one click for such material to spread beyond their control. Once online, it can be nearly impossible to stop. The consequences can include identity misuse, blackmail, and cyberbullying. Ultimately, it depends on who gains access to the material, and with what intentions.
Safer Internet Day 2026: opening difficult conversations
The Czech Safer Internet Centre brought these sensitive topics to the forefront during this year’s Safer Internet Day, marked on 10 February 2026 and throughout the month, together with partners including Palacký University in Olomouc, the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, the Police of the Czech Republic, and others.
As part of this international awareness day, the Czech Safer Internet Centre organised a series of events aimed at raising public awareness about the risks of children’s digital footprint and offering parents practical guidance on how to help their children stay safer online.
What do experts agree on? Key recommendations for parents and caregivers
Take an interest from an early age
58 per cent of children and young people who experienced some form of online aggression did not confide in anyone. Other surveys confirm a similar pattern: parents and caregivers often do not take enough interest in their children’s online lives.
They are not used to asking questions like: How was your time online today? Who are you following right now? What online game are you playing?
For today’s children, the online and offline worlds are deeply interconnected, they do not see them as separate entities. Therefore, it’s important to start asking these questions early and show that we understand the importance of their digital lives, and make these conversations a normal part of everyday family life.
Better yet, as a parent or caregiver, try playing a video game with your child. Watch their favorite show or online video together. They will appreciate it. And it may make it easier for them to come to you if they encounter problems online, rather than feeling afraid or ashamed.
Minimise your digital footprint: protect your privacy and theirs
Teach children and young people that the entire internet does not need to see every detail of your lives. And as adults, it is important to lead by example.
Be cautious about what information and photos you share on social media. When it comes to privacy, less is always more. Strengthen your privacy settings, and regularly review account security options. Small steps can make a big difference.
Stay informed and aware of the law
In the Czech Republic, it is illegal for persons under 18 to produce their own intimate content. Even forwarding intimate or pornographic material without the consent of the person depicted can constitute a criminal offense.
Understanding the legal framework is an important part of prevention.
Report child sexual content, it could save a life
If you encounter child sexual abuse material or other illegal content online, report it. You can do so anonymously and easily via your national hotline.
In many cases, such content can be removed relatively quickly. However, once copies are created and shared, these are almost impossible to track. Indifference helps no one, while reporting may protect a child from further harm.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
If your child finds themselves in a difficult situation – for example, facing online threats, blackmailing, cyberbullying, or other forms of aggression – do not hesitate to contact professionals working in helplines and hotlines.
In the Czech Republic, national helplines Linka bezpečí and Dětské krizové centrum provide immediate psychological support and guidance for families in crisis.
Prevention works
Safer Internet Day is also about collaboration. It calls on organisations and individuals alike to help spread awareness about safe online behaviour.
In the Czech Republic, this collaborative effort is growing stronger. The Safer Internet Centre has long supported the coordination of preventive activities across public institutions, private companies, and non-profit organisations.
This year’s Safer Internet Day once again showed that we are not alone in addressing these challenges. The topic attracted significant attention, not only from the media and experts, but especially from parents, whose demand for information and support is enormous.
Find out more about Safer Internet Day in the Czech Republic. Alternatively, find more information about the work of the Czech Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
- child sexual abuse material (CSAM) Safer Internet Day (SID) SID
Related content
More on online sexual coercion and extortion of children (OSCEC) (formerly referred to as sextortion)
More on online sexual coercion and extortion of children (OSCEC) (formerly referred to as sextortion)
Related articles
