15 April 2026
Online
12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
(Eastern Time – Ottawa, Canada)
Digital environments are now part of children’s everyday learning, community life, and identity formation—including within faith-based settings. This presentation introduces the core principles of digital safeguarding in a religious context, with practical guidance on how to recognize risks, responsibly, and create safer online spaces for children, youth and vulnerable adults. Participants will explore key safeguarding challenges such as boundary-setting in digital communication, privacy and consent, online spiritual authority, and the prevention of harm in hybrid learning and pastoral relationships. The session also highlights how values rooted in dignity, care, and responsibility can support ethical digital presence and institutional trust.
Szilvia Gyurkó is a child rights expert and researcher. She graduated in law in 2002 and later pursued advanced studies in children’s rights at Columbia University. After graduating, she worked as a criminologist at the Hungarian National Institute of Criminology in Budapest (2005–2012), and subsequently provided pro bono legal assistance to child victims of sexual abuse. She authored a monograph on child sexual abuse in Hungarian and regularly writes articles on violence related topics for various media outlets to raise public awareness of the issue. She also designs and delivers training and research projects across several European countries. Currently, she leads the Hintalovon Child Rights Foundation – ECPAT Hungary, a leading national organisation dedicated to prevent sexual violence against children by strengthening protective systems around them — from families and schools to local communities. Hintalovon develops practical tools (like online sexual education), trainings, and safeguarding standards that help adults recognize risks early and respond in better ways.
Contact us: cpcs@ustpaul.ca
