The Minister of Labor and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov presented a special application through which children will be able to report their peers at risk or if they become witnesses or victims of violence.
Through the CyberKidz Patrol platform, every child with a phone will be able to report a problem, violence against him or against another child. “How many things are already happening and what don't we see every day, to understand that there should be such a modern way for children to be able to contact the State Agency for Child Protection (SACP). From there, they can already assess what and how to do, how to intervene, through which bodies, including through the Ministry of Interior, so that children can really feel protected and know that there is someone to turn to”, explained Minister Gutsanov. The application was developed by the State Agency for Child Protection and the Ministry of e-Government.
The Cyberkidz Patrol mobile application will be available for download completely free of charge at the beginning of October. Through it, children will be able to very easily report a child at risk. The only information required is a phone number. For example, if a child sees a classmate being bullied at school, they will be able to report it, and the SACP will check it. If necessary, it will also contact other institutions such as the police, prosecutor's office or social services. “This really helps children in an accessible way, via the phone, to be involved in the prevention of aggression and to report it“, said Kaloyan Ganev, Chairman of the Children's Council.
At the same time, the application will contain useful information for children, as well as news and events of interest to them. Including the informational clips of the Agency against the use of dangerous substances.
It was presented at the launch of the campaign “Be brave, be kind“, which is being held for the second consecutive year by the SACP. Partners are all state institutions that are related to the safety of children. This year's activities will include various sports events, art competitions, lighting the facades of iconic buildings on the occasion of World Children's Rights Day. The children will also make a special flash mob with a message against violence.
“Because of the daily publications about violence against children, we are launching the campaign. Through us adults, state institutions, media, non-governmental organizations, we want to reach children through new innovative ways”, said the Chairperson of the State Agency for Child Protection Teodora Ivanova.
In 2024, 6640 reports of children at risk were received by the State Agency for Child Protection.
“The things that are being done by the Agency are very important. We are trying together to take measures against violence. We have started campaigns against vapes and designer drugs. It is up to us to deal with these modern threats”, said Minister Gutsanov.
The Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria Velislava Delcheva noted her good cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and with Minister Borislav Gutsanov.
Christina de Bruyne, UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria, emphasized the importance of cooperation between the organization and state institutions.
The event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Health Dobromira Kareva, Acting Chairperson of the Consumer Protection Commission Alexander Kolyachev, Chairperson of the Council for Electronic Media Dr. Simona Veleva, as well as representatives of the Children's Council.
European gymnastics champion Valentina Georgieva also supported the initiative.