Another International Knowledge Exchange at Internet Hotline – Welcoming an Analyst from the Irish Hotline
At the beginning of June, the staff of the Internet Hotline (IH) hosted a two-day programme for a visiting analyst from the Irish hotline (Hotline.ie). The purpose of the study visit was to enable analysts from different countries to gain insight into one another’s operations, share best practices, and find inspiration for their own work. During the programme, both hotlines provided in-depth presentations on their operations, regulatory frameworks, and the professional and mental health support practices in place to safeguard the wellbeing of their analysts.
This was not the first occasion of its kind: in the autumn of 2024, the IH had already welcomed colleagues from the Serbian and Moldovan hotlines, and IH staff also had the opportunity to participate in a study visit to one of the world’s leading hotlines, the UK’s Internet Watch Foundation.
It was an honour to be joined at the event by two investigators from the Cybercrime Department of the Hungarian National Bureau of Investigation. As part of an ongoing partnership based on daily cooperation, the investigators offered insights into their collaborative work, giving the Irish analyst a firsthand understanding of the relationship between the IH and Hungary’s highest law enforcement body.
The core themes of the meeting were open communication, knowledge sharing, and mutual inspiration. The event clearly demonstrated how international collaboration, joint learning, and the exchange of best practices can serve as powerful tools in protecting children online. Such professional engagements not only support day-to-day operations but also contribute in the long run to the creation of a safer digital environment — together, for the sake of children.