A Decade of Vigilance: UOC’s Youth Campaigns Equip Pretoria’s Young Against Online Predators

For ten years, Unchain Our Children (UOC) has driven awareness campaigns among Pretoria’s youth, equipping them to recognize and resist digital grooming, sextortion and technology-facilitated trafficking. Recent talks at a Danville youth group and Louis Botha Children’s Home, underscored this ongoing work.

Sessions highlighted practical risks. UNICEF’s Disrupting Harm research shows 95% of South African children access the internet regularly, yet 70% do so without parental consent or supervision, leaving many exposed. Between 7% and 9% of internet-using children have faced clear forms of online child sexual exploitation and abuse, including sexual blackmail or having intimate images shared without permission.

The speakers stressed positive social media use alongside the dangers. Young people were encouraged to share uplifting content, join educational groups and build supportive networks while never posting personal details, locations or images that invite predators.

Previous workshops by Wayne van Onselen, UOC Founder & Executive Director and Nicky McDonald, UOC Senior Social Worker, focused on safe online engagement while this workshop encouraged positive use of social Media platforms.

Guest speaker Chris Batts, Hi5 Stereo radio personality, and multi-world-record tyre-flipper who has supported children’s homes through charity challenges, connected with the children on courage, endurance and resilience. Richard Jaars, Radio Pulpit presenter and contributor known for clear, youth-friendly radio engagement, reinforced the message enthusiastically in accessible language.

Riders from Pretoria Bikers Council (PBC), Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA), Unite for Jesus and Pick Them Up added to the positive encouragement of the children.

UOC emphasizes teamwork. By partnering with SAPS units, security firms and other like-minded organizations, the group reaches young audiences from every angle—education, law enforcement and community support—creating layered protection against prowling predators.

Research on young people who grew up in South African children’s homes offers real hope. Long-term studies show encouraging results once they become adults. Over time, more and more of them find jobs — by six or seven years after leaving care, two-thirds or more are working. Their success comes from determination, the people skills they developed while living in structured care, the education support they received, and the strong networks that help them overcome early challenges.

Sometimes the world of children — especially adolescents — feels almost impenetrable. No amount of well-meant parental and/or caregivers warnings, or explanations of consequences and losses, truly reaches them. They have lived only a fraction of a lifetime compared to adults and simply cannot yet grasp what those words mean through lived experience.

To connect with them, long-term, honest trust must first be built — a safe space where a young person feels free to ask any question. When they begin to share their fears, doubts, uncertainties and even their mistakes, those disclosures become the real key to understanding their world.

Perhaps we need less talking and more listening. Their voices are the clearest signals of what they conceive as dangerous and what is truly liberating for them. A careful balance between speaking and listening is what finally brings both clarity and genuine connection together with responsible and Godly guidance and guardianship.

UOC’s decade of consistent, collaborative outreach continues to arm Pretoria’s youth with knowledge, turning potential vulnerability into informed alertness.

Discover & Connect:

Invite the UOC Team to speak at your organization:  Call Wayne:  072 364 8246

Report Child Exploitation:  Call UOC National Crisis Centre:  067 323 7116