Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Setup of Consumer Wearable Devices for Exposure and Health Monitoring in Population Studies
Published on: February 3, 2023
Invisible children and non-essential workers: Child protection during COVID-19 in Israel according to policy
1Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
Insights
Child protection in Israel faced challenges during COVID-19. Initial policy changes to social services were reversed after media advocacy, highlighting the need for robust child protection policies during crises.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Social Policy
- Media Studies
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic created significant challenges for child protection efforts globally.
- Social isolation and reduced social services during the pandemic increased the risk of child maltreatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine child protection in Israel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To analyze how child protection was portrayed in mainstream news media and government policy documents.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 28 government policy documents and 22 media articles from March to May 2020 in Israel.
- Chronological examination of policy decisions and media reports during the initial nationwide quarantine.
Main Results:
- Initial government decisions included shutting down social services and deeming social workers non-essential.
- These decisions were reversed following media pressure from child advocates, leading to minor policy adjustments.
- At-risk children faced heightened threats due to inadequate initial policies.
Conclusions:
- Children were initially overlooked by Israeli policymakers during the pandemic.
- Child advocates and media played a crucial role in advocating for children's rights and protection.
- There is an urgent need for comprehensive child protection policies to safeguard children during future global crises.
Background:
The protection of children from maltreatment has become extremely challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. The public's gaze is focused on the urgent health crisis, while many children are at risk due to social isolation and reduced social services.
Objective:
Examine child protection in Israel during COVID-19, as portrayed in mainstream news media and government policy documents.
Participants And Setting:
The study analyzed all policy documents and mainstream media reports published in Israel from March to May 2020, during the initial mandatory nationwide quarantine.
Methods:
(1) Search of relevant articles in mainstream news websites; (2) Search of documents in official websites of relevant government ministries and agencies.
Results:
28 government policy documents and 22 media articles were found relevant. When examined chronologically, what stood out was the initial decision to shut down social services, including some of the residential care units for youth at risk, and declare social workers "non-essential". These decisions were revoked a few weeks into the quarantine, following persistent media pressure by child advocates, resulting in minor changes in policy.
Conclusion:
Children were initially invisible to Israeli policymakers facing the pandemic, highlighting the centrality of advocates promoting children's rights and of mainstream news media in disseminating the discourse of protecting children from maltreatment, especially in times of crisis. Moreover, the study points to the heightened threat to at-risk children due to inadequate policies, and to the urgent need to develop child protection policies in order to avoid further risk in future global crises.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:17Transmission-based Precautions I: Contact, Enteric, and Droplets
Contact Precautions:
Contact precautions are the measures taken to prevent the transmission of infectious agents, especially epidemiologically important microorganisms such as MRSA or influenza, primarily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with an...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:27Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...
01:23Ethical Standards II
Nurses are entrusted with upholding various ethical principles and standards. Nurses forge solid therapeutic relationships using trust, empathy, autonomy, confidentiality, and professional competence.
Confidentiality is crucial, embodying respect for individual privacy...