Why Peer Education Helps : Janaki’s Story
Generation gaps can be hard to navigate. Especially in the digital era. With rising online risks, adults may not fully understand children’s experiences in the virtual world making conversations around it difficult. Peer to peer interactions can create a meaningful difference. When young people learn from someone they can relate to in terms of age, conversations become simpler and more helpful.
Peer education and online safety
Meet Janaki, our young peer educator teaching online safety to children in Nepal.
“A peer educator is someone our age with whom we can discuss our problems at ease”, says 22-year old Janaki.
Since 2023, she has been actively involved in Terre des Hommes’ Step Up the Fight Against Sexual Exploitation of Children or SUFASEC programme under the Down to Zero Alliance.
Through SUFASEC, Janaki teaches children about online child sexual exploitation and how to prevent and respond to harm. She conducts sessions in both schools and colleges for students aged 12 to 20. Typically, she engages 20–30 students in classroom settings, and sometimes addresses groups of up to 100 in larger halls.
A peer educator is someone our age with whom we can discuss our problems at ease.
— Janaki
The importance of friendly dialogue
Janaki’s sessions are interactive and discussion-based. She begins by explaining what online child sexual exploitation is, then opens the floor for questions. Group discussions follow, and she also provides one-on-one guidance for students who need personal support.
Lessons cover key topics such as understanding technological trends, activating privacy settings, reporting abuse, including awareness of online dangers such as morphing, hacking, online grooming and sexual extortion. The discussions are also an opportunity to build peer relationships and trust which helps children share their online experiences in confidence.
“Students share their personal experiences with me, and I am glad that they feel they can approach me”, says Janaki.
Addressing emotional vulnerability
In her experience, most children in Nepal seek emotional connections online. Predators often take advantage of this vulnerability and manipulate children to achieve their own ends causing deep psychological and emotional harm. The SUFASEC programme not only raises awareness but also provides psychosocial support and referral services to children who have experienced online abuse and exploitation.
Speaking about her journey in SUFASEC, Janaki says “The guidance of the programme staff was very good because they oriented us on how to present ourselves and speak in the community confidently, how to handle questions from children..I have learnt a lot and developed confidence.”
According to Janaki what sets peer education apart is the level of comfort it gives.
Being comfortable is important. We are more comfortable sharing with our friends than our parents. If not comfortable, children remain silent and tolerate abuse. I am happy I can amplify children’s voices.
— Janaki
“Being comfortable is important. We are more comfortable sharing with our friends than our parents. If not comfortable, children remain silent and tolerate abuse. I am happy I can amplify children’s voices”, she says.
When young people speak to someone from their own generation, barriers are reduced. Conversations become honest. Silence is broken. Awareness grows.
The future of peer education
Janaki believes that the future of peer education lies in expanding its reach. She hopes to see these lessons implemented across all 77 districts of Nepal, ensuring that every child has access to online safety education.
“Make we keep everyone in our nation safe online and make them aware. That is my vision”, she says.
Through young leaders like Janaki, peer education is proving to be an impactful approach not only in preventing online exploitation, but in empowering children to speak up, seek help, and stay safe.
