Advancing Online Safety for Children and Families in Sulaymaniyah: Violet Organization and SEED Partnership Reaches More Than 520 Caregivers and Children
Project Period: October 2025 – February 2026 | Location: Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
From October 2025 through the end of February 2026, Violet Organization, in collaboration with SEED, delivered online safety awareness and skills-building sessions in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, reaching more than 520 children and caregivers. This initiative aimed to promote safer digital experiences for children by increasing awareness of online risks, encouraging responsible internet use, and helping families develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate the digital world more safely.
Through this partnership, Violet Organization and SEED worked to help children recognize potential online threats, understand how to respond to online violence, and identify appropriate sources of support when concerns arise. The sessions also encouraged caregivers to take an active role in children's online safety by promoting open communication, building trust within families, and developing a better understanding of the challenges children may encounter in digital environments.
Participants explored key topics including safer internet use, online privacy, responsible online behavior, recognizing online risks, and knowing where to seek help. Through interactive awareness activities and discussions, children and caregivers had opportunities to exchange experiences, develop practical prevention strategies, and consider ways to establish healthier digital habits at home. By engaging children and caregivers together, the initiative promoted a family-centered approach to online safety that recognizes the importance of shared responsibility, informed decision-making, and supportive relationships.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to prevent and respond to online harm through the Connected Safely Toolkit for NGOs, developed with financial support from Safe Online. The toolkit is designed to help non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations deliver engaging, accessible, and age-appropriate online safety awareness sessions for children and caregivers. By providing practical resources and structured learning activities, it supports organizations in addressing online safety concerns and promoting child protection within their communities.
Reaching more than 520 children and caregivers in Sulaymaniyah represents a meaningful contribution to community-based digital safety awareness. The initiative reflects the importance of collaboration between civil society organizations and specialized partners in addressing emerging challenges affecting children and families. As digital technologies continue to shape how children learn, communicate, and interact, access to reliable information, trusted support, and practical safety skills is essential to helping them participate in digital spaces more safely and confidently.
Violet Organization appreciates its collaboration with SEED in delivering these sessions and acknowledges Safe Online's financial support for the development of the Connected Safely Toolkit. Through continued cooperation, community engagement, and practical education, Violet Organization remains committed to promoting child protection, supporting caregivers, and encouraging safer digital environments. By connecting local action in Sulaymaniyah with the wider global priority of protecting children online, this initiative contributes to the shared goal of ensuring that children can explore, learn, and benefit from digital technologies in safer and more supportive environments.