New Report: Supporting Parents to Prevent Online Sexual Exploitation of Vulnerable Children in the Netherlands

This report , investigates how parents and caregivers of children with mild mental impairments and refugee backgrounds in the Netherlands can be better supported to prevent Online Child Sexual Exploitation (OCSE) risks. The qualitative study involved seven focus groups and eight interviews with 47 participants.

Key findings

Some of the key findings include:

Parents with a refugee background experience different challenges, including high stress levels, which limits parents’ capacity to proactively engage with the digital safety of their children. Refugee parents also struggle with language barriers, cultural differences and unfamiliar technology, while parents of children with mild cognitive impairments are overwhelmed by their children’s vulnerability. 

Many parents with a refugee background report having limited awareness of digital threats, including online sexual exploitation. Language barriers and cultural taboos hinder open dialogue. Parents of children with mild cognitive impairments showed a better understanding of risks, often framing them as sexual abuse. 

Parents mostly use restrictive or monitoring approaches (for example they restrict the usage of certain apps, they check their children’s  phones) rather than applying open, communicative strategies. 

Mothers typically assume primary responsibility for digital supervision and conversations about online safety. Fathers, particularly in refugee communities, often lack the language or confidence to address topics related to sexuality or online risks. 

Most parents would turn to formal support like the police, many refugee parents feel isolated and unsure of where to seek help in the Netherlands. 

Recommendations

• Extend awareness campaigns beyond online platforms to include offline resources and materials translated into relevant languages. 
• Address general online safety (e.g. privacy, screentime), rather than focusing solely on the risks of online sexual exploitation to reduce parental resistance. 
• Frame messaging positively and promote open, age-appropriate dialogue between parents and children. 
• Design interactive workshops to allow parents to learn about online safety while sharing their insights, creating a mutually beneficial space.