Who We Are
In 2015, Dr Cliona Curley, a cybercrime investigator and analyst, was visiting schools to talk with children about how to be safe and smart online. She saw first-hand the huge gap between what children were accessing and experiencing online, versus what their parents and teachers understood about their access and experiences.
This experience inspired Cliona to create CyberSafeKids, along with Dr Maggie Brennan, an applied psychologist, and Alex Cooney, an experienced programme manager from the not-for-profit sector.
Cliona, Maggie, and Alex were also parents of small children and were concerned that, despite the many benefits of growing up in a digital world, it was also fraught with risk - and particularly for children.
Since then, CyberSafeKids, has been dedicated to equipping children and young people with the skills they need to thrive in a connected world while staying protected from the challenges and risks it can bring. As Ireland’s online safety charity, we educate children and parents, challenge social media and gaming platforms, and work with government and other stakeholders, all with the aim of creating an internet that keeps every child safe.
A decade of philanthropy
As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, it is an opportune time to reflect on the philanthropy that has made our journey possible by empowering our mission CyberSafeKids has been fortunate to work with a range of fantastic philanthropic supporters - Community Foundation Ireland, ESB Energy For Generations, Lifes2good Foundation, Ireland Funds, Rethink Ireland, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, Smurfit Westrock Foundation, Tomar Trust, and others.
One powerful example of the impact of philanthropic support is a groundbreaking new project we're developing to help children and young people protect themselves from online sexual abuse. As the first initiative of its kind in Ireland, it will empower young people to understand their rights and access clear, compassionate processes for the swift removal of explicit or intimate images shared without consent.
This is just one way philanthropy enables us to tackle urgent social challenges with bold, innovative solutions.
Quite simply, philanthropy has been the lifeblood of our ability to lead change where it’s needed most.
A brighter future, inspired by philanthropy
And our work continues. Over the next 10 years, we will work to create as much positive impact for children as possible. While we have the people, and we have the passion, funding will always be necessary to realise our ambition for impact.
We have struggled with diversifying some of our income streams, for varying reasons. For example, potential corporate supporters for our work can be hesitant to challenge large social media and gaming platforms, many of whom are their clients or potential clients. And unlike some of the bigger charities, we don’t have the resources to provide companies with many staff engagement or branding opportunities.
In this context, it is important to realise the uniquely important role that philanthropic giving can play. Philanthropy can be courageous, standing up for what’s right, and with the freedom to judge a charity’s worth based purely on its impact. This helps to level the playing field and make it possible for an organisation like ours to exist.
As we face the challenges we know are coming down the line - not just for ourselves but for all charitable and community organisations - it is reassuring to know that Ireland has such a strong, diverse, and committed philanthropic community. And if you haven’t joined that community yet, we strongly encourage you to consider it.