“Don’t Blue Tick Us”

“Don’t BlueTick Us”

What South Africa’s Children Are Saying About Protection and Safety

SouthAfrican children and teenagers are speaking out, clearly and courageously, about what it means to feel safe, respected and protected. From schools and homes to online spaces, young people are calling for real change, and they want in on the solutions.

Through a series of engagements, including the National Children’s Dialogue,African Children’s Summit, Teen Voices input into the National Strategy to Accelerate Action for Children,Web Rangers submission to the Presidency, and the Children and Teen Voices Matter Webinar, held between 2024 and 2025; they told us this.

What they experience

Children and teens feel unsafe in the very spaces meant to support them. At school, many girls don’t feel safe walking there, and bullying – from classmates and even teachers – is far too common. Homes aren’t always safe either, with reports of abuse and violence from family members.

In their communities, children often witness or experience violence, and when they report it, they feel ignored. There’s also confusion about how and where toreport abuse. Online, they face cyberbullying, harmful content and grooming. All while feeling like the laws meant to protect them are out of date or ineffective.

They see a lack of urgency from those in power and a lack of access to support services, especially in rural areas.

What they want

Children and teens are asking to be heard and be taken seriously. They want to help design the very systems that are meant to protect them, not just be part of tick-box consultations. They want:

• Safe, inclusive schools with trained teachers, proper infrastructure and mental health support.
• Respectful homes where caregivers don’t use violence or humiliation.
• Community leaders who act, not just talk.
• Stronger child protection services, everywhere, especially in rural areas.
• Tougher action on alcohol and drug abuse, which fuels violence.
• Creative, youth-led alternatives like sports, art and after-school clubs to keep them engaged and away from harm.
• Online spaces that are safe and empowering, where their privacy is protected and they are part of shaping the rules.

What this tells us

Children don’t want empty promises. They want adults to stop brushing off their concerns, to stop “blue-ticking” them. Their message is simple: Don’t talk about us without us. They want to be co-creators of the future they’ll inherit and they are ready to take responsibility too.

And they’re right. The Constitution demands it.

Hold MyHand is listening and many other organisations are listening and ready to take action to support our children and teenager. It’s time all of us did.

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