ECPAT stands opposed to all pornographic exploitation of children. While recognising the principles of privacy and freedom of expression, ECPAT believes that the best interests of the child, whether individually or within his or her community, takes precedence over these rights. Thus ECPAT is committed to preventing child pornography on the Internet, and the related issue of online solicitation of minors, and bringing perpetrators to justice.

In 1997, ECPAT International undertook a two-year program looking at child pornography and the effect of computer technologies. Legislation, law enforcement and the tension between the rights of the individual and the need to protect children were a primary focus of the project. Other aims were to understand the extent of the problem and identifying international solutions. As part of the program, ECPAT groups and other NGOs held consultations to explore the situation of child pornography within their country and the global context. These took place in New Zealand, Sweden, Australia, USA, Canada and Taiwan.

ECPAT seeks to develop positive cooperative relationships with the ISPs and the software and search engine production industries in order to find answers to the technological problems concerning the transmission of child pornography via computer and the Internet. ECPAT encourages ISPs to develop agreed Codes of Conduct which will include the agreement to develop child-friendly information on their sites. ISPs are encouraged to give all possible support to law enforcement agencies to prevent the criminal use of the net by child sex abusers.

Work has been done in some regions, resulting in heightened public awareness and some convictions of perpetrators. ECPAT groups have been involved in policy discussions, creating/managing hot lines, encouraging codes of conduct and promoting safe uses of the Internet. Unfortunately, technological developments, varying definitions, and differing legal approaches/law enforcement strategies hinder efforts to combat the problem. Many regions of the world still only give scant attention to child pornography.

In December 2000, ECPAT International initiated a survey of international efforts to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children on the Internet. Completed in April 2001, this survey was used to devise a strategy for collaboration with the international community.

In August 2001, ECPAT International began a Safety For Children Online Project in several countries in Asia. The principal activity of the project has been the adaptation and translation of "Protecting Children Online" booklet into Bahasa (Indonesia), Japanese and Thai.. In the Philippines, the booklet has been adapted to appeal to and be of relevance to Filipino children, but has not been translated as English is widely used in the country

This programme is now coming to fruition, and the response so far has been positive. The first to be launched was the Japanese version in March 2002. The National Police Agency (NPA) and Japan Teachers' Union have both shown interest in using the guide. The NPA has already funded a second printing of the book to train their field staff. In Indonesia, the launch of the Bahasa version was held in April 2002 and the Thai version was released in May of that year. Internet Service Providers, Government agencies including the police, NGOs involved in child protection, and the media were invited to participate. Books were distributed at the launch; and additional copies were sent to key institutions, such as the Department of Education in the respective countries. ECPAT Taiwan has also expressed interest in adapting and translating the book; and ECPAT International, in cooperation with Against Child Abuse (an ECPAT affiliate) will introduce the English version of the book in Hong Kong in October.

As a follow up to this project, an online survey was conducted in August through September 2002 in Thailand. The survey, designed and analysed by Prasena, looked at young people's use of the Internet and online communication tools, as well as parents' and teachers' perception of online practices of Thai youth. A press conference took place at the ECPAT International Secretariat in October, where the survey results were released. Read a summary of the survey results in word or view a power point presentation from the press conference. ECPAT International also presented an analysis of the survey results and the implications for child protection. In the next phase of this project, ECPAT and UNICEF Thailand hope to collaborate in developing school curriculum that will be used to protect children online.

1. From May 28-29th,1998, ECPAT International and Interpol convened a Child Pornography on the Internet Experts Meeting in Lyon, France. Fifty-eight experts from 19 countries attended. The meeting succeeded in identifying gaps in existing legislation and law enforcement mechanisms and suggesting ways by which these areas can be improved. A working group examined mechanisms towards international co-operation and co-ordination. Another group sought strategies for developing positive partnership with ISPs.

2. Child Pornography on the Internet: Technical and legal challenges and possible solutions to combat sexual violence against children on the Internet. (June 13/14 2002) The Conference is organised by ECPAT Switzerland/arge kipro and the Children's lobby Switzerland. It is intended for criminal prosecution authorities from Switzerland and abroad (i.e. invertigators, public prosecutors, judges, police officers or Internet providers) Panel discussions will look at the legal framework, best approaches in regards to investigation, perversion, and the next steps in the fight against child pornography on the Internet. Four workshops are planned for this two day event: covering prevention, legislative reform, computer generated images, and investigation techniques.