Jonathan Jehander: “I know I won’t be able to solve the problem, but I can contribute.”

Jonathan Jehander is a wealth advisor at Söderberg & Partners in Stockholm and is passionate about entrepreneurship, social engagement, and networking. As a ChildX ambassador, he helps create engagement and bring people together around children’s rights, including through dinners, events, and other initiatives.

When did you first hear about ChildX, and what sparked your interest in the organisation?

I first got to know ChildX in spring 2025, after attending an event you organised in Stockholm. I had actually never heard of the organisation before, and it made me realise how little I myself knew about the extent of grooming and the commercial sexual exploitation of children.

What really stayed with me was the incredible passion and drive that ChildX Secretary-General Ida Östensson showed. I encountered a force and commitment that was difficult not to be moved by. With three children at home, I decided right then and there to do what I could to create the conditions for Ida and the rest of the ChildX team to continue making a difference.

For me, it became very concrete: if there are people who are willing to devote all their energy to this issue, then I want to be one of the people who helps them succeed.

Is there anyone who has inspired you to make a difference for children?

My greatest source of inspiration is Ida Östensson. For most of my life, I have probably had fairly self-focused goals – to create a good life for myself and my family and continually try to improve our circumstances. There is nothing inherently wrong with that. But Ida has made me look beyond myself.

She has chosen to dedicate a large part of her life to improving the circumstances of a much larger group of people than herself and those closest to her. I find that incredibly inspiring.

Ida is my role model when it comes to having the courage to do something that can genuinely change society. She has made me realise that you do not have to be able to solve the entire problem in order to make a difference. You simply have to decide to contribute.

How have your experiences as a parent influenced your commitment to children’s rights?

I have two teenage sons and a three-year-old daughter, and I am also expecting my fourth child this winter.

Fortunately, I have no personal experience of a child close to me being subjected to grooming or sexual exploitation. And my hope is that it stays that way.

But being a parent has made this issue very personal. I want my three-year-old daughter to grow up in a society where she can move freely, both in the physical and digital world, without having to fear being manipulated, threatened, or exploited.

At the same time, having teenage sons has made me realise how difficult it is for us adults to fully understand the digital reality that children and young people live in. We cannot control every step they take. What we can do is give them knowledge, security, and the ability to recognise when something does not feel right – and, above all, make sure they know they can always turn to an adult.

Why have you chosen to engage specifically in the fight against the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children?

As a parent, my children are the most important thing in my life. Nothing compares to what you feel for your children.

The absolute worst thing I can imagine is something happening to one of my children. But very close behind that is the thought of one of my children being subjected to grooming and sexual exploitation – of someone manipulating or exploiting my child in a way that could affect their entire life.

It is a thought that is difficult to comprehend. And precisely because of that, I feel that I have to do something.

I want to be part of ChildX and contribute in whatever way I can. For me, that means using my network and organising dinners and other events that can raise funds, but also using my own platform to show that there are many adults who care and are prepared to stand up for children’s right to safety and freedom from sexual violence.

I believe in the power of coming together. Change begins when we stop thinking that someone else will solve the problem.

Which issues within this field are you most passionate about?

There are two things that particularly engage me.

The first is that society’s legislation and justice system need to keep pace with the rapid development of the digital world. Technology and the platforms where children spend time are evolving incredibly quickly. Legislation, the police, prosecutors, and other public authorities therefore need the tools and resources required to respond effectively.

“Opportunity makes the thief” is an old saying. Today, the opportunity is often just one click away. The accessibility created by social media and other digital platforms means that perpetrators can get very close to children, very quickly. This is an area where society needs to do more.

The second is knowledge. My children live in a digital world that I did not have access to when I was growing up. I will never be able to control every step they take, nor should I. But I can talk to them.

That is one of the things ChildX has taught me – that knowledge and open conversations are an important part of preventing vulnerability. We need to talk more with children and young people about their digital reality, rather than simply talking about them.

What is the best thing about being part of an organisation like ChildX?

In a way, my involvement with ChildX is actually quite selfish. It gives me a sense that my choices and actions can make a real difference.

It is a wonderful feeling – being able to look at yourself in the mirror and know that you are using your time, your network, and your opportunities for something bigger than yourself.

I know I will not be able to solve the problem. But I can contribute. And together with everyone else involved with ChildX, that small contribution can become part of something very big. That makes me proud.

Is there a book, film, or song that has increased your commitment to children’s rights?

I do not actually have a specific book, film, or song that sparked my commitment to this particular issue.

What has probably affected me the most is encountering the reality of the problem – and realising how close this issue actually is. Before I got to know ChildX, I had a much more limited understanding of how grooming works and how it can be part of the path towards sexual exploitation.

That has probably affected me more than any individual book or film.

How can we get more people involved in the fight against sexual violence against children?

I believe it starts with knowledge – and with having the courage to talk about it.

You might think that this issue should concern everyone who has children in their lives. At the same time, I think many people simply do not realise how widespread the problem is. Grooming often happens in secret, and vulnerability is not always visible to those around the child.

That is why we need to keep talking about it. At home, in schools, in workplaces, and throughout society.

It is also important to me to make engagement tangible. Everyone cannot do the same thing, but everyone can do something. You can become a monthly donor, contribute your expertise, use your network, share knowledge, or simply start talking to the children in your life about safety and risks online.

It starts with having the courage to see. Then we need to have the courage to act.

Working with children’s vulnerability can be mentally challenging. What are your best tips for recharging your energy?

Here comes a really boring – but very honest – answer. The absolute best thing I know is spending a day in nature with my wonderful fiancée Julia and our daughter Lou, who is three. Ideally, my teenage sons Elliot and Vilgot would be there too, but I have had to accept that teenagers sometimes have other priorities than spending time with their dad.

There is something incredibly valuable about stepping away from phones, work, and everything else going on around you and simply being together. Nature, family, and the small things in everyday life give me perspective.

And perhaps that is also part of why I believe ChildX is so important. We are fighting to give children the opportunity to have exactly that – a safe everyday life, a childhood, and a future where they are free to simply be children.