From Innovation to Transcreation: Adapting Digital Technologies to Address Violence against Children

Abstract

With seven billion mobile phone subscriptions and a third of the world's population going online, digital information and communication technologies present untapped platforms for communication, learning and empowerment. Newer technologies such as mobile phones, the internet and computers have the potential to contribute significantly to the prevention of violence against children. Yet, efforts to date have focused primarily on the risks associated with them. It is important to consider how digital technologies can enhance social and behaviour change interventions to prevent and respond to violence against children. We conducted a systematic review of social and behaviour change interventions addressing violence against children. We searched five databases for peer‐reviewed and grey literature published between 2000 and 2015, which yielded 18 manuscripts relevant to the use of computers, the internet or mobile phones. Digital technologies were typically combined with other communication channels in order to reach children, parents, teachers or service providers. We are unable to draw any conclusions on the direct effectiveness of digital technologies, indicating the need for more rigorous evaluations to assess their added value. Future work should explore how digital technologies can be integrated into programmes disseminating information, raising awareness, helping individuals report violence and mobilising communities to action. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Key Practitioner Messages Successful violence prevention programmes are not taking full advantage of digital technologies. Adapting programmes and messages for computer, internet or mobile phone delivery would broaden their scope and reach. The interactive nature of digital technologies makes them ideally suited to involve and empower individuals and entire communities for change. The effectiveness of digital technologies in preventing violence against children is still unclear. More investment in research and evaluation is needed. ‘A systematic review of social and behaviour change interventions addressing violence against children’‘The effectiveness of digital technologies in preventing violence against children is still unclear’