On 25 September, Missing Children Europe celebrates the fourth edition of the NotFound Day. Notfound.org is Missing Children Europe’s web app that website owners can download to convert useless 404 website error pages into posters of children who are missing. With the help of missing children organisations providing data for the error pages and partners using the platform, since the launch of the app in 2012, posters of missing children were displayed over 137 million times, at a rate of almost 50 000 photos per day! This year FamousGrey, the NotFound developer, has improved the code and made the app more accessible for new websites to join, making it a more efficient tool to raise awareness and help find missing children.
The NotFound web app functions worldwide by incorporating geo-localized technology: users only see the details of missing children in their area. By making use of these ‘lost’ pages, website owners can reach out to internet users around the world, who may have useful information that could help find missing children. Using NotFound on a website also increases its Google search ranking and improves user experience. While most people who reach a “404 Error – Not Found” page would otherwise leave the website, NotFound creates meaning on even the most useless pages of your website.
“Applying NotFound to websites gives hope to those who are often overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness, and that is an invaluable gift. Spreading awareness for a long-term missing loved one goes beyond the obvious need to remind the public of their likeness; it is the ultimate display of community spirit, showing the family and friends left behind that they are not alone in their search. Regardless of whether or not it directly leads to resolution of a case, it alleviates a tremendous burden, and I would like to personally thank every individual and organisation that is demonstrating such kindness, generosity and compassion.” – Loren O’Keeffe, Founder and CEO, Missing Persons Advocacy Network
Notfound.org aims to ease the search for long term missing children by reaching out to a much wider audience for tips and information, saving law enforcement critical time and money. Every poster displayed is developed by an acknowledged missing children organisation in cooperation with local law enforcement responsible for the search. Therefore, Missing Children Europe, and the NotFound partners, call on local authorities to start using NotFound on their websites. Several local governments in Belgium (Berchem Brussels, Ixelles, Merchtem, Wemmel) and the UK (Doncaster) have already applied NotFound to their websites. This is a great example that will hopefully inspire other website owners.
How can you help?
- Download the NotFound app to your website. It is free and it only takes a few minutes to set up. If you do not have a website but know someone who does, ask them to consider downloading the web app. Remember to share it on social media and tag Missing Children Europe!
- Get the word out! Post about #NotFoundDay on 25 September and encourage more websites to use the application.
- Donate to Missing Children Europe to sustain the NotFound app and our other initiatives to improve the lives of missing children and their families.
About NotFound:
The Notfound is a web app that converts a website’s useless 404 error pages into posters of missing children. It was created in 2012 by Missing Children Europe, Child Focus and Famous Grey. Over 6500 websites are already involved in the operation and more than 137 million photos of missing children have been displayed. Find out more: https://notfound.org/en
The following partners provide data for the missing children posters displayed on the 404 error pages: Famous Grey, Child Focus, 116 000 Enfants Disparus, and Missing People.
About Missing Children Europe
Missing Children Europe is the European federation for missing and sexually exploited children, representing 31 organisations from 26 European countries. We provide the link between research, policies, and organisations on the ground to protect children from any kind of violence, abuse or neglect that is caused by or results from them going missing. Find out more: www.missingchildreneurope.eu
Contact
Jagoda Luto, Communications Officer at Missing Children Europe, Jagoda.Luto@missingchildreneurope.eu