Most of us take being connected for granted. We land in a new time zone and instantly text our families to say we arrived safely, or check a map to find our way to the hotel. At Holafly, we work every day so that this connection flows seamlessly for travellers, becoming almost invisible. But sometimes we need to pause and ask ourselves what else is moving through those networks.
Through our partnership with Valientes Colombia, we have seen how this plays out: children receiving sexual messages from strangers online, and teams using internet access to help victims of exploitation return home. It is an uncomfortable reality to acknowledge, but understanding how the same technology can enable harm and support those affected is essential to protecting children.
The same connection that brings us together can also put children at risk.
That danger is not always easy to see: online contact can happen privately and slowly, sometimes starting with an ordinary conversation. People seeking to exploit children can approach them through social platforms and video games, building trust before crossing boundaries. A child can be in their bedroom, with their family nearby, and still be exposed.
The findings from our “ESCNNA Free Schools” project in Medellín help us understand where these risks begin. In August, 67.9% of surveyed students reported at least one digital risk linked to exploitation. More than half had received sexual material online, and one in four had been contacted by a stranger making sexual propositions.
These numbers show the situations prevention needs to address: does a student recognise when a conversation becomes inappropriate? Do they know whom they can tell? Would they feel able to ask for help without fear of being blamed or punished? Being physically safe at home does not necessarily mean being protected from unwanted contact online. Prevention starts with helping children recognise these situations, know how to report them and understand where they can turn for support.
How can that same technology help someone reach safety?
When a victim needs to escape or return home from abroad, being connected becomes part of the work required to get them to safety. It allows them to share their location, receive emergency instructions, and stay in constant touch with rescue teams. The work of Valientes Colombia relies on this connectivity, extending their work beyond school prevention to actively support victims during international repatriations.
This is where our donated eSIMs can help. A rescue can involve people in different countries, changing plans and information that needs to reach the right person quickly. Teams need to coordinate arrangements and stay reachable, while victims need to remain in contact with the people helping them throughout the journey.
Our solidarity eSIMs have supported repatriations from countries including France and Nigeria, providing internet access throughout the journey and keeping communication open across borders.
Even after returning home, being in a safe place is not the end of the story: victims may need psychological help and support after they return. Staying in contact with the people providing it keeps the recovery going.
This gives our partnership with Valientes Colombia a clear purpose in every step of the journey: supporting prevention through school workshops and providing safe connections for victims and recovery teams.
For Holafly, responsible travel also means thinking about the people who live in the places we visit. We cannot solve exploitation through connectivity alone, but we can help make sure that people have a way to communicate when they need it, while supporting the prevention work that helps children recognise risks and speak up.
As a traveller, you can help a concern reach the right people.
If you witness a situation that raises concerns about possible child sexual exploitation, report it through the appropriate channels. You can contact Valientes at @valientescol, submit an anonymous report using the “Te Protejo App”, or call the 141 emergency line if you are in Colombia.
The same connection we use every day can serve a very different purpose in a moment of need. On a holiday, it might help us find a hotel or tell our family we have arrived. In a situation of exploitation, it can help someone raise an alarm, coordinate a return home or stay in contact with the people supporting them. Technology can create risks, but it can also help people respond to them.
