Tesonet Foundation is partnering with Vaikų Linija to help create a safer digital environment for children, supporting the organization’s newly granted Trusted Flagger status with a €50,000 contribution.

Vaikų Linija has become the first organization in Lithuania to receive Trusted Flagger status dedicated to protecting children. This means that reports submitted by the organization about harmful content affecting children on online platforms will now be prioritized for review and removal.

For the Tesonet Foundation, this partnership reflects a broader commitment to building resilience in an increasingly digital world — ensuring that children not only face challenges with greater confidence, but also know where to turn for support.

“Technology evolves rapidly, opening possibilities we couldn’t imagine even a few years ago. But it also brings new challenges for children’s safety. One of the Tesonet Foundation’s strategic priorities is building resilience. We believe true resilience is not only the ability to withstand challenges but also the courage and knowledge to seek help when needed. Vaikų Linija provides children with that knowledge and sense of security. We are proud to support their mission in creating a supportive digital space, so every child has a strong safety net and never feels alone,” said Simona Laiconaitė, Director at Tesonet Foundation.

Turning support into action

According to Vaikų Linija, Trusted Flagger status is more than formal recognition—it is a practical tool that enables faster response to the challenges children face online every day, from public harassment to dangerous digital activities.

“Today we see a clear shift—bullying hasn’t disappeared; it has simply moved online. And online, it can be even more painful: public, constant, difficult to stop, and sometimes hard to recognize. A child cannot escape it by leaving the classroom—online it reaches them anytime, anywhere. As adults, our responsibility is not just to talk about safety, but to truly be there for the child when they face these situations. When a child reaches out for help, they must be heard. This status allows us not only to listen but to act faster—passing information to platforms so it does not go unnoticed,” said Dr. Robertas Povilaitis, Head of Vaikų Linija.

What Trusted Flagger status means

Cyberbullying is becoming increasingly complex—it happens 24/7, spreads rapidly, and can reach large audiences, often leaving long-term emotional impact. According to the European Commission, around one in six adolescents has experienced cyberbullying, making it one of the leading reasons children seek help.

Trusted Flagger status, granted by the Communications Regulatory Authority, is awarded to organizations with proven expertise in identifying harmful or illegal content and acting in the public interest. It ensures that reports submitted by Vaikų Linija are treated as reliable and reviewed as a priority, rather than being lost among thousands of user submissions.

From listening to real impact

With this status, Vaikų Linija can move beyond emotional support to concrete action. When children or their families report harmful experiences, the organization evaluates the situation and, if necessary, escalates it directly to online platforms. Platforms then assess whether the content violates their policies or applicable laws and decide on its removal.

“Vaikų Linija’s role in this process is not just to pass along information, but to evaluate the context, assess potential harm to the child, and ensure sensitive situations are reported responsibly,” said Dr. Povilaitis.

Children and adults can report cases involving cyberbullying, public insults or threats, hate speech, content encouraging self-harm or suicide, violence, or dangerous online challenges. A dedicated reporting system for children is currently being developed to make access to help clearer and faster.

A shared responsibility

The initiative is supported by partners across the technology sector, reinforcing the idea that online safety is a shared responsibility.

“What once happened in the schoolyard has now moved to social networks, where children spend most of their time. Bullying has found a place on platforms that adults often cannot monitor. A safe internet is not just the responsibility of parents or teachers—it is ours as businesses shaping this space. Our partnership with Vaikų Linija and their Trusted Flagger status is critical: it allows children to report harmful content faster and ensures quicker response. Technology should strengthen our connections, not break them. We are doing more every day to make that a reality,” said Giedrė Kaminskaitė-Salters, CEO of Telia Lietuva.

Vaikų Linija emphasizes that while faster content removal can reduce harm, the most important goal remains ensuring that children are not left alone in emotionally difficult situations. Alongside action, support, understanding, and guidance remain essential.