A new online child safety platform was recently launched by the ADAPT Centre, and DCU Anti-Bullying Centre, along with Amárach Research on behalf of Cilter software company. The platform is designed to accept anonymous submissions from parents/guardians of examples of harmful language experienced by children online with the aim of informing new child-protection software for mobile phones.
This new technology will reside in the operating systems of smartphones and will prevent children from being exposed to cyber-bullying, grooming and self-harm content as well as alerting parents/guardians if their child is attempting to send or receive this type of content. Data gathered will be used in a repository of harmful private language that children experience online. Submissions can be made at www.kidsonlinesafetyresearch.ie. Submissions can only be made via text and only adults are invited to contribute. All data entered will be completely anonymous and not traceable to a parent, caregiver, or child.
The consortium has received funding for this consultation from the Disruptive Technology Innovation Fund (DTIF). The (DTIF) is a €500 million Challenge-based fund established under Project Ireland 2040. It is one of four funds set up under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027. It is managed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and administered by Enterprise Ireland.
