Mayor Leo Bezerra urges joint action to protect children online in João Pessoa

On Friday, 10 March, the mayor of João Pessoa, Leo Bezerra, addressed a seminar marking the 36th anniversary of Brazil’s Child and Adolescent Statute (ECA). The event, titled “The Challenges of ECA in the Era of Screens – Forming Digital Guardians,” was held at the Espaço Cultural in Tambauzinho and gathered educators, prosecutors, cyber‑crime officials and civil‑society groups.

Bezerra called for coordinated effort among municipal, state and federal powers to strengthen a protective network for children and adolescents. He announced the city’s plan to open new schools and creches and to expand the municipal education network. Education Secretary América Castro explained that schools have already received guidance on the pedagogical use of smartphones and tablets and that the newly launched “ECA Digital” program will train teachers to act as digital guardians.

Prosecutor Soraya Nóbrega of the Paraíba Public Prosecutor’s Office affirmed the partnership with the education department, while cyber‑crime delegate João Ricardo highlighted the availability of reporting channels, including in‑person complaints and the anonymous Disque 197 line, to address online crimes ranging from financial fraud to sexual exploitation.

The seminar underscored a commitment to raise awareness, improve digital safety education, and provide mechanisms for reporting and intervention to protect children in the digital environment.