Gabrovo, Bulgaria: The State Agency for Child Protection is launching a chat app for conversation and consultation with children. Every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, experts from the Agency will be available to answer their questions. The chat will be accessible to any child through the official website of the DAZD National Hotline for Children – 116111.
Data analysis from NTLD 116111 calls indicates no small number of silent calls. They are often associated with the fear and anxiety of conversation, but they also indicate the need to share. According to experts, the chat app is an even easier and more accessible option for these children to get support.
DAZD’s NTLD 116111 is also part of the Global Network of Children’s Hotlines – Child Helpline International, in which 133 countries are members. DAZD experts regularly exchange experience and good practices with their colleagues on the Global Network, one of which is creating and maintaining a chat app.
“The national telephone line for children 116111 is recognizable and trusted. There are cases where children seek counselors again and again for different topics because they’ve built a relationship of trust.
However, Bulgaria is all aware that children are increasingly communicating through social networks and chat apps. Therefore, it was extremely important for DAZD to meet this need so that they have another opportunity to seek advice or support from experts,” commented Dr. Teodora Ivanova, Chairman of DAZD.