Crime Stoppers International

Protecting Children Online: A Call for Mandatory Device-Based Age Verification The internet is a vital part of daily life, but for children, it comes with serious risks. According to a recent UNICEF report, over one-third of young people in 30 countries have experienced cyberbullying. Moreover, sexually explicit content, violent and hateful material, and online predators remain alarmingly accessible to children. To address these challenges, Crime Stoppers International (CSI) and the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC Global) are urging governments to mandate device-based age verification and require the default activation of parental controls on all internet-enabled devices. Our position paper, Protecting Children Online: Mandatory Device-Based Age Verification and Parental Controls, strongly advocates for the immediate adoption of device-based age verification. ICMEC’s Model Bill for Protecting Children Online provides the building blocks of legislation to this end that can be adapted to any legislative context. Both publications outline the key issues associated with online child safety, including the consequences of unrestricted access, and the adoption of age verification instead of app-by-app and website-by-website verification as a protective measure. Both also acknowledge the important work underway by policymakers globally and legislative changes under consideration in many countries to strengthen the online protection of children. Hayley van Loon, Deputy CEO of Crime Stoppers International, underscores the urgency:  "Over 400 million websites operate without safety mechanisms to manage harmful content such as child sexual abuse material. Device-based age verification can leverage biometric authentication and secure hardware already embedded in cell phones, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles, and other devices to provide a high level of accuracy that surpasses traditional methods like self-reported birthdates, which are highly susceptible to misrepresentation and circumvention”. Travis Heneveld, Interim CEO of ICMEC, adds:  “As a non-partisan, global nonprofit committed to advancing child protection and safeguarding vulnerable children around the world, ICMEC calls on governments, regulators, policymakers, legislators and technology companies to work together to establish clear guidelines and global standards for device-based age verification.” With legislative changes under consideration worldwide, this is a pivotal moment to prioritize online child safety. Together, we can create a safer digital future for children everywhere. Link to position paper: https://lnkd.in/ghVq_a2h #ChildSafety #OnlineProtection #DigitalSafety #AgeVerification #ParentalControls #CrimeStoppersInternational #ICMEC #ProtectingChildrenOnline Travis Heneveld Hayley van Loon Sharon Hanlon AM

📣 ANNOUNCEMENT - NEW GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP TO COUNTER CYBER-PHYSICAL THREATS FACING SOVEREIGN COUNTRIES Critical Infrastructure-Information Sharing & Analysis Centre, International (CI-ISAC International) & Crime Stoppers International (CSI) share a common vision of fostering secure and more resilient communities through collaboration, trust, & the proactive sharing of vital information to generate useful intelligence. (Click on the article below for more details). Our two organisations have signed a global partnership agreement to collaborate operationally to help all sovereign countries better understand & address the complex interdisciplinary domain of cyber-physical threats that impact all sectors of industry, in all countries. We jointly recognise the vital role of empowering individuals & industries at a whole-of-nation level to contribute to collective security—whether by building trusted cyber communities to protect critical digital infrastructure or providing safe, anonymous channels that enhance physical security and crime reporting. Together and aligned with the principle of #TrustedLocal = #TrustedGlobal, CI-ISAC International & CSI embody a shared commitment to leveraging innovative tools, partnerships, and community-driven solutions to anticipate, mitigate, and respond to threats spanning the cyber-physical domain to ensure a safer and more secure world for all. #Strongertogether #Leavenoonebehind World Economic Forum Cybersecurity Global Cybersecurity Forum Global Forum on Cyber Expertise (GFCE) Global Cyber Alliance, Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) & Hans de Vries Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade & Brendan Dowling National Cyber Security Coordinator Nationaal Cyber Security Centrum (NCSC-NL) & CI-ISAC NL, CI-ISAC Brazil OpenCTI by Filigran, Group-IB, INTERPOL

If you are looking for some fresh reading for 2025, please read our position paper: Protecting Children Online: A Call for Mandatory Device-Based Age Verification.

🌟 Why Attend the Film Experience? 🌟 The 8th Annual Weekend Film Experience is more than just movies—it's a chance to bring our community together and support Crime Stoppers Bermuda in the fight against crime. 🎥 What to Expect: ✨ Exclusive film screenings ✨ Networking opportunities ✨ Fundraising for a safer Bermuda Your support makes a difference. Save the dates: February 27 – March 2, 2025, and stay tuned for ticket sales! #SupportLocal #BermudaFilm #CommunitySafety

#stoptheillegalempire https://lnkd.in/grUjTebs

The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) is urging residents to prioritise their safety, if intending to meet up with any unknown individual, to buy or sell items advertised online. Three reports have been received between the 24th and 26th December 2024, where an unknown individual stole an item offered for sale on Facebook Marketplace, after meeting unsuspecting sellers at three separate prearranged locations. The stolen items included popular brand name electronics. Inquiries are ongoing regarding all of these matters, with the possibility some instances may be linked. Noting the popularity of Facebook Marketplace and other similar online commerce sites, the following proactive advice is strongly recommended. https://bit.ly/49XYKWO

🚀 Ambassador The Hon. Mitch Fifield has joined #NYUCIC as a Senior Fellow! 🚀 💼 With a career in international governance, cyber regulation, and reform processes, his experience includes: 🌐 Co-chairing initiatives of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, updating global HIV/AIDS targets, and advancing international disaster risk reduction goals. 💡 Laying the foundation for Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme and introducing transformative reforms in aged care services as the former Minister for Disabilities and Aged Care. 🏛️ Serving as the Deputy Leader of the Government and Manager of Government Business in the Australian Senate and the Permanent Representative of Australia to the UN. 🇦🇺 Currently the President of the Law and Liberty Society of Australia, a member of the Specialist Advisory Panel of Crime Stoppers International, and sits on the Advisory Board of Fraim. 🙌 His expertise and visionary leadership will drive our mission to advance innovative solutions for global challenges. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/evhfDa9G #NYUCIC

🎄 Season's Greetings from Crime Stoppers International 🎄 As we celebrate this special time of year, we extend our warmest wishes to our global community of supporters, partners, and volunteers. Your dedication to making the world a safer place inspires us every day. This holiday season, let us also take a moment to reflect on the values that unite us: peace, compassion, and hope. Our thoughts are with all those suffering in conflict zones, those harmed by crime, and those facing adversity. We wish for safety and peace for everyone, everywhere. May your holidays be filled with joy, and may the new year bring harmony and hope to all. Thank you for being part of our mission to create a safer world. With gratitude and hope, Crime Stoppers International #crimestoppers #seasonsgreetings #crime #fighting #conflict #peace

Protecting children online is a shared responsibility. ICMEC Global calls on governments, regulators, policymakers, legislators and technology companies to work together to establish clear guidelines and global standards for device-based age verification. 🔗 Learn more about International Non-profits calling for mandatory device-based age verification : https://lnkd.in/dY3ms5-x #ChildSafety #OnlineProtection #DigitalSafety #AgeVerification #ParentalControls  #ProtectingChildrenOnline Crime Stoppers International (CSI) WeProtect Global Alliance Hayley V. Sharon Hanlon AM