Mid-August is one of the most anticipated moments of the summer. Synonymous with holidays, departures and family days. But for a child or adolescent who feels alone, in difficulty or in danger, the need to be listened to does not stop. This is why Telefono Azzurro continues to be present even during the summer and on holidays, guaranteeing listening, orientation and protection every day of the year. The 19696, 114 Childhood Emergency and 116000 Missing Children lines are operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
“Being present means being there when a child or teenager needs to talk, when they find themselves in a difficult or dangerous situation, but also when a family seeks discussion and doesn't know who to turn to,” says Ernesto Caffo, President of Telefono Azzurro. "Even on holidays our task does not change: to listen, welcome and, when necessary, activate a protection network. Because the need for help knows no seasons, times or holidays."
In three months over 24 thousand conversations
Between May 1st and July 23rd, Telefono Azzurro conducted over 24 thousand conversations: an average of 295.9 per day. In the last four weeks in the sample under analysis, the average volume every seven days increased by 23.9% compared to the first four.
Behind these numbers there are children, adolescents and families who have been looking for someone on the other side of the line. The 19696 service, in particular, collected 19,064 conversations in the period considered. A need that also manifests itself through digital channels: chat and WhatsApp concentrated 80% of conversations, confirming how important it is to be able to choose contact methods that are accessible and close to the everyday life of young people.
Children and adolescents in digital spaces
Today, giving continuity to listening also means protecting children and adolescents in digital spaces, where relationships, experiences and risk situations are increasingly intertwined. Telefono Azzurro recently obtained the designation of "Trusted Flagger" from AGCOM, strengthening its role in the protection of minors online. Thanks to this recognition, Telefono Azzurro can report dangerous content directly to digital platforms, in Italy and abroad, helping to make their removal quicker and more effective.
Among the concrete tools available to Telefono Azzurro there is also Take It Down, a free service created by NCMEC (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children), the US organization that works to prevent the exploitation and abuse of minors.
Thanks to its Trusted Flagger status, it can be used by the Foundation to help children and families remove intimate images or videos spread online without their consent.
"Behind every request for help there is a story that deserves to be heard and a person who should not feel alone - concludes Caffo - Our commitment is to ensure that every child and every teenager knows that, even on August 15th, even when it seems that everyone is on holiday, there is someone ready to respond. The protection of the youngest cannot have pauses".
The Telefono Azzurro lines are always active: 19696 – listening and advice line for children and adolescents, active 24 hours a day; 114 Childhood Emergency – emergency service for situations of danger or serious difficulty involving children and adolescents, active 24 hours a day; 116000 Missing Children – European number dedicated to cases of missing children and adolescents, active 24 hours a day.
