Protecting Children in the Virtual World- Philadelphia Insurance Companies

Protecting Children in the Virtual World

February 08, 2022

The virtual world's population has expanded exponentially over the last two years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A large number of these new online occupants are children, who may have been introduced to the internet earlier than anticipated or may be spending more time online than they have before. Even with many in-person activities resuming, many organizations have integrated technology into their children's programming and schools continue to hold virtual classes as needed.

It may seem that the threat of child sexual abuse is lower in this new virtual environment. While this may be true for inappropriate physical touch, it has increased the risk for inappropriate online communication. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) recorded a 106% increase in reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation.

Philadelphia Insurance Companies understands parents and educators are doing their best to support children in this new environment. To help, PHLY and Abuse Prevention Systems (APS, also known as MinistrySafe) are providing a guide with best practices to help keep kids safe while engaging in the virtual world. APS has been a PHLY partner for over a decade, providing resources, guidance, and training for child sexual abuse prevention. We hope this new resource will assist these organizations as they continue their efforts to provide instruction and services safely.

Faith-based organizations, including churches, camps, schools, mission organizations, and other providers of children's ministry programming, can find the resource here - MinistrySafe: Virtual Instruction - Navigating Online Resources and Child Safety

Child-serving organizations, including youth sports, day care centers, schools, clubs, and other non-profits, can find the resource here - Abuse Prevention Systems: Virtual Instruction - Navigating Online Resources and Child Safety

To learn more about the risk of child sexual abuse, please visit our previous blog posts:

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

Understanding Child Sexual Abuse Risk

New Abuse Prevention Law for Youth Sports

APS/MinistrySafe provides abuse prevention resources to PHLY insureds with abuse coverage at no cost. Please see below for more information:

Abuse Prevention Systems was created to serve a full spectrum of child-serving organizations, including youth sports, day care centers, schools, clubs, and other non-profits. Learn more: AbusePreventionSystems.com/PHLY

MinistrySafe was created to meet the unique needs of faith-based organizations, including churches, camps, schools, mission organizations, and other ministry programming. Learn more: MinistrySafe.com/PHLY

_{IMPORTANT NOTICE - The information and suggestions presented by Philadelphia Indemnity Insurance Company is for your consideration in your loss prevention efforts. They are not intended to be complete or definitive in identifying all hazards associated with your business, preventing workplace accidents, or complying with any safety related, or other, laws or regulations. You are encouraged to alter them to fit the specific hazards of your business and to have your legal counsel review all of your plans and company policies.}