Childhood Matters

Childhood Matters: Episode 32: Behind the screen: What our kids are really facing online

As we wrap up Child Protection Week, we’re looking at the realities of raising kids in a digital world. It’s not just screen time anymore. It's "sextortion". It's grooming. It's violent pornography. Often just a tap away. HOT 1027’s Natasha Thorp spoke to Sarah Hoffman from KLIKD — a local…

6 Jun 11AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 31: Kids are sharing images & info with strangers while gaming

As we wrap up Child Protection Week, gaming experts are warning underage children are sharing personal information - and even images of themselves online with strangers - on popular games like Fortnight. Parents are not powerless to act though, but it requires reading up on what's happening, setting boundaries, and…

6 Jun 9AM 2 min

Childhood Matters : Episode 30: Hot Cares is making a meaningful difference

We're wrapping up ''Child Protection Week'', and here at HOT1027, we've been shining a light on the incredible work being done - to protect South Africa's most vulnerable citizens. And thanks to our generous listeners, Hot Cares here on HOT1027 also spent the week making a meaningful difference in the…

6 Jun 8AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 29: Scenario planning gives kids a blueprint

As we start wrapping up Child Protection Week, parenting experts are urging moms and dads to role play with their kids to help them prepare for real life emergencies. Over the past week, we've examined the dangers facing our children both in the real world and online. Most importantly -…

6 Jun 4AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 28 : The Power of the Wild Card

As we wrap up Child Protection Week, specialists are urging parents to introduce "a wild card system" with their children. A wild card is designed to keep the line of communication open with a child so they can ask for help - no matter how bad a situation gets. HOT1027’s…

6 Jun 2AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 27: Does your child have a safe word?

As we wrap up Child Protection week, Parenting experts are warning that scenario planning — and even a simple safe word — could make all the difference when a child needs help. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a look…

6 Jun 1AM 1 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 26: Hot Cares supports efforts to save abandoned babies

An organisation that plays a crucial role in rescuing abandoned babies is getting some much needed help - thanks to HOT1027 listeners.. It’s Child Protection Week, and here on HOT1027, we’ve been shining a light on South Africa’s most urgent crises—none more heartbreaking than baby abandonment. Every year, thousands of…

5 Jun 11AM 3 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 25: Growing up online: The hidden impact on our children

This Child Protection Week, we’re looking at one of the biggest threats facing our children today, and it’s digital. Experts are warning that technology is quietly reshaping how children grow, connect, and cope. But for us parents, this is uncharted territory. HOT 1027’s Natasha Thorp spoke to Sarah Hoffman from…

5 Jun 10AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 24: "This is not a shelter, this is your home"

In Krugersdorp’s struggling neighbourhoods, the devastating realities of drug addiction, homelessness and child neglect play out every day. But at one small shelter, a team of women is fighting back—one mother and one child at a time. This Child Protection week, HOT1027’s Tara Penny visited "Wings of Inspiration" to find…

5 Jun 5AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 23: Gauteng is a human trafficking hub

As the fight against human trafficking intensifies, experts warn that children here in South Africa—and particularly in Gauteng—remain prime targets for traffickers. As we mark Child Protection Week, parents are being warned that corruption, porous borders, and a disturbing increase in female traffickers are fueling a crisis that sees children…

5 Jun 3AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 22: Parents need to be wary of "taboo violations"

This "Child Protection Week", experts are warning parents to be on high alert: predators often start by breaking taboos—encouraging kids to drink, vape, or watch pornography—and it’s not always strangers who do it. HOT1027’s Tara Penny takes a closer look at how grooming begins, and how parents can "unknowingly" put…

5 Jun 1AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 21: Rescue and refuge: Inside Gauteng’s "Sunlight Safe House"

As the country marks Child Protection Week, there's a team here in Gauteng, providing emergency care to children in crisis on a daily basis. It's the "Sunlight Safe House", a refuge for children who’ve been abandoned, abused, or removed from unsafe homes. HOT1027’s Natasha Thorp sat down with the woman…

4 Jun 12PM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 20: From helpline to hope, how Childline is changing lives.

Hundreds of thousands of children across South Africa are reaching out for help, many of them through Childline’s 24-hour call centre. This Child Protection Week, HOT 1027 News is exploring how the organisation is responding and why support from the wider community is so important in protecting our children. HOT…

4 Jun 10AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 19: Learning to swim can be the difference between life and de

While swimming is an essential skill here in South Africa, the latest available stats show that children account for 40% of drownings in our country. And the research shows that by the time a child reaches the age of 1, their risk of drowning triples.

4 Jun 9AM 1 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 18: "Some kids wait half their life for justice"

At a time when government promises to put victims first , our justice system is still failing children. This Child Protection Week" , we're looking at how survivors of abuse are waiting years—or sometimes half their lives for justice. HOT1027's Tara Penny has more…

4 Jun 6AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 17: "Children as young as 5 are being exposed to porn"

This Child Protection Week here on HOT1027 News, specialists are warning - children as young as five are re-enacting sexual acts they've seen online. They're warning - easy access to explicit content is fueling harmful behaviour - with devastating consequences. HOT1027's Tara Penny has more…

4 Jun 5AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 16: "Career offenders are hiding in plain sight"

In a stark warning for parents and educators this "Child Protection Week", experts are raising the alarm about career offenders—predators who deliberately choose professions that bring them close to children. These criminals don’t rely on force; they rely on grooming parents, teachers, and coaches to gain access. This Child Protection…

4 Jun 1AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 15: Too much screen time, too little childhood

Excessive screen-time is affecting how our children sleep, speak, learn and behave, and experts say we need to treat it like a serious developmental concern. This Child Protection Week, we’re being reminded that caring for our children isn’t just about what we keep them away from, it’s also about what…

3 Jun 11AM 2 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 14: Burns are a leading cause of death for children

Up to 600 children are admitted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital every year for burns that could have been prevented... This Child Protection week ,we're looking at ways to safeguard our kids in the home. Here in South Africa , burns are the most common cause of trauma related death…

3 Jun 9AM 1 min

Childhood Matters: Episode 13: "We have perpetrators training other perpetrators"

As law enforcement ramps up its fight against online child abuse, predators are getting smarter—and more dangerous. During our investigation this Child Protection Week, we've heard graphic details about how criminals are staying one step ahead - turning consumers of child abuse content into producers - and even spreading their…

3 Jun 3AM 2 min