Model Framework

The First Line of Defense in Online Child Protection: A Model Framework for Employers of Content Moderators

The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) released an innovative Model Framework designed to help online platforms protect the mental health of content moderators working with child exploitation material, offering comprehensive best practices for employers to prevent secondary trauma and strengthen employee resilience.

50%of content moderators experience mental health issues due to frequent exposure to harmful content.

This Model Framework is focused on safeguarding the mental health of content moderators exposed to online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and promotes trauma-informed employment practices.

Emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts among stakeholders to address the growing challenges in content moderation, ICMEC underscores the importance of employers providing comprehensive training for content moderators and creating a safe, supportive workplace that prioritizes mental health. By implementing these practices, companies can reduce employee burnout, improve retention, and strengthen employee resilience, all while enhancing the quality of content moderation. These best practices help organizations fulfill their corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments, while minimizing legal risks.

Download the report here.