Parents and guardians are being urged to keep a close eye on their children as the September school holidays get underway.

Schools across the country closed on 23 September 2026 and are expected to reopen on Tuesday, 6 October 2026.

The Department of Social Development is warning parents, guardians and caregivers to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect children from harm during the holiday period.

The warning comes amid wider concerns about the safety of children both online and in their communities.

Earlier this month, UNICEF reported that an estimated 20 million children aged between 12 and 17 across 21 countries experienced at least one form of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation or abuse in a single year. More than half of the reported abuse took place on mainstream social media platforms.

In South Africa, the Department of Social Development has previously warned about human trafficking, including cases where young people are allegedly lured through fake online job offers and social media.

Department spokesperson Sandy Godlwana is urging parents to remain alert.

“Some of these children will be travelling to various holiday destinations, and South Africans are urged to ensure that their safety is not compromised. To remain proactive and prevent abuse, including gender-based violence and human trafficking, parents must always exercise caution and alert their neighbours or family members when children are left alone at home.”

The Department also stressed that, whenever possible, children should not be allowed to roam the streets without a valid reason, as they could become vulnerable to abuse, abduction, sexual assault and human trafficking.

Parents and caregivers are urged to know where their children are at all times and to remain aware of who they are communicating with, both in person and online.

The Department says protecting children is a collective responsibility, with families and communities urged to play their part in preventing and responding to gender-based violence and other forms of abuse.

Anyone who suspects that a child is being abused or is experiencing any form of violence can contact the Gender-Based Violence Command Centre on 0800 428 428.