Tag: #children

Aer Lingus Launches Onboard Digital Donations in Support of UNICEF

Aer Lingus and UNICEF Ireland has announced the launch of a new onboard digital donation capability, offering customers new ways to contribute to UNICEF’s vital work for children around the world. Customers flying on Aer Lingus long-haul services can now scan a QR code or tap their bank card on cabin crew devices to make quick, secure donations directly to UNICEF during their flight, in addition to the traditional collection of cash donations.

Onboard digital payments are the latest development in Aer Lingus’ partnership with UNICEF that spans over two decades. Since 1997, Aer Lingus and its customers have raised over $23 million in support of UNICEF’s global programmes – funding essential services such as clean water, nutrition, vaccines, education, and emergency relief for children living in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

With many travellers now carrying less cash, this new digital option ensures donations are more accessible and convenient than ever before. Cash donations will still be gratefully accepted onboard, providing customers with flexibility in how they choose to give.

Onboard, customers will hear a video message from UNICEF Ireland Ambassador, Broadcaster and Rugby Player, Donncha O’Callaghan, highlighting some of UNICEF’s key work and outlining how donations can be made in three easy ways – via a QR code, without needing to pay for Wi-Fi, by contactless card payment on crew devices, or by sharing cash donations.

Aer Lingus will also support a number of special collections on board both its long-haul and short-haul services in 2025, with a special collection for Ecuador to take place in the coming weeks. The special appeal for Ecuador follows a visit by Aer Lingus UNICEF Ambassadors to Ecuador earlier this year, who witnessed first-hand the issue of unsafe drinking water in many parts of the country. It’s estimated that 6 out of 10 children under five in Ecuador are drinking contaminated water, putting them at risk of deadly disease, parasites, and chronic malnutrition. Through this special collection and the introduction of onboard digital donations, Aer Lingus aims to boost awareness and funding for UNICEF’s work on the ground in Ecuador to provide safe water, and hygiene facilities to keep children healthy and in school.

Commenting at the launch, Lynne Embleton, CEO of Aer Lingus, said: “Our partnership with UNICEF is embraced across Aer Lingus, especially by our cabin crew who champion it onboard our transatlantic services every day. Thanks to our customers’ generosity, we’ve raised over $23 million to date and we want to keep growing that figure. Digital donations on board is a natural next step in our partnership, to bring new ways for customers to support UNICEF’s vital work worldwide.”

Peter Power, Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland, added: “Aer Lingus customers have shown extraordinary generosity over the past 28 years, and we’re delighted to see this partnership evolve in line with the digital age. These donations help us respond faster and more effectively to the needs of children who are most at risk around the world.”

UNICEF ambassador Donncha O’Callaghan, added: “I’ve been on the ground with UNICEF seeing first-hand the difference UNICEF makes for children who are facing the hardest of circumstances – kids who’ve lost everything, but still have hope. That hope is possible because of support from partners like Aer Lingus and their customers. For over 25 years, in-flight donations have helped change lives. This new way of donating onboard might seem like a small gesture, but I can tell you—it matters. It really can change a child’s future.”

For more information, visit aerlingus.com

Mothers are leading the way in their children’s use of technology

A new report shows how the growing OurKidsCode network of creative coding workshops and clubs for families is enabling parents in communities across Ireland to be more proactive in their children’s use of technology, with mothers comprising 72% of the parents involved.

The OurKidsCode project, based in the School of Computer Science and Statistics in Trinity College Dublin, has built an infrastructure and partnership network with county councils across Ireland, including for leveraging Ireland’s rural grid of broadband connection point community centres, and Microsoft Dream Space, as well as with the National Parents Council.

This network of relationships is successfully enabling OurKidsCode to deliver facilitator-led workshops and a ‘Start a Club’ programme that supports the establishment of parent-led creative coding clubs for families with primary-level children.

The OurKidsCode programme builds parents’ confidence and skills in technology alongside their children at informal, hands-on creative coding workshops. These take place outside of school hours in libraries, primary schools and rural broadband connection point community centres.

Creative coding is the playful use of computer programming to make art, stories, or interactive projects, combining coding, crafting and making. OurKidsCode workshops are appealing to parents who are looking for ways to increase their children’s active creation rather than passive consumption of technology.

OurKidsCode has collaborated with Microsoft Dream Space since 2022 to support young people, families and educators in rural communities through inclusive STEM opportunities. Core to this collaboration are the opportunities given to rural clubs to come together to enter The Dream Space Showcase, a national STEM event that celebrates innovation and creativity found within rural clubs, schools and communities.

OurKidsCode has established fiscal and operational partnerships with county councils across Ireland and has worked closely with an increasing number of county council broadband officers since 2021. In 2024, OurKidsCode began to expand its work with county councils to include partnerships with county libraries.

Facilitated by county councils and through its broadband officers, OurKidsCode offers workshops and provides support to clubs at broadband connection points across the country, which are publicly accessible sites in rural and remote areas that have been provided with a high-speed broadband connection.

Funded by Research Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development, OurKidsCode has reached 5,240 parents and children in 111 predominantly rural locations across Ireland. The report shows females (mothers and girls) comprised 55 per cent of participants, with males (fathers and boys) making up 43 per cent, busting the gender stereotype that females are not as interested in computing as males.

OurKidsCode is committed to promoting inclusivity and diversity in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths). By partnering with DEIS schools, local development agencies and NGOs, it strives to make workshops that are accessible to all families.

Speaking at the recent launch of OurKidsCode’s Impact Report, OurKidsCode project lead and assistant professor in the School of Computer Science and Statistics at TCD, Dr. Nina Bresnihan, said: “OurKidsCode is committed to increasing opportunities for parental involvement in children’s computing education and contributing to greater diversity, inclusivity and equal access, with a particular focus on rural communities where access to such initiatives is often limited. Getting parents involved in their children’s coding education can have powerful outcomes.

Research in our new report shows how this boosts knowledge and confidence. It also sustains families engaging together in computing activities and promotes computing as a subject choice and future careers in STEAM-related fields. Furthermore, it challenges stereotypes by promoting female participation in computing based on mothers’ interest in their children’s early education. We see mothers who take part in our workshops acting as powerful role models for their daughters, demonstrating that STEAM is a viable and rewarding path.”

Parent and club leader of the OurKidsCode club Rossmore Scratchers, Co Tipperary, Rona Toft, said: “There’s something really special about learning side-by-side with your kids and other local families in a safe, welcoming space. From starting with the OurKidsCode taster programme to running the now award-winning Rossmore Scratchers, in Rossmore, Tipperary, the friendships and fun we’ve found along the way have been the absolute highlight. I watched my kids take a project from a blank screen to something they built themselves ─ figuring out the bugs, problem-solving, and seeing it through. I’ve never been prouder; it’s amazing to see their confidence grow.”

The full OurKidsCode 2021-2024 Impact Report is available to download at www.ourkidscode.ie/impact.

Find out more at www.ourkidscode.ie.

Coimisiún na Meán publishes Strategy Statement 2025-2027 and 2025 Work Programme

Coimisiún na Meán has today (24.04.25) published its first three-year strategy, which sets out the organisation’s vision for a vibrant and healthy media landscape in Ireland. The Strategy Statement 2025-2027 is accompanied by a 2025 Work Programme, which lists priority projects across Coimisiún na Meán’s remit of online safety, media sector development and regulation.

The Strategy Statement 2025-2027 is built on six key outcomes:

  • Children – a media landscape that upholds the rights, wellbeing and development of children and their safe engagement with content
  • Democracy – a media landscape that supports democracy and democratic values, underpins civic discourse, and reduces the impact of disinformation
  • Trust – a media landscape that consumers can trust, and where they are protected from exploitation and fraud
  • Irish Culture and Media – a media landscape that is sustainable, pluralistic and participative, and that reflects and shapes who we are as a society
  • Diversity and Inclusion – a media landscape that promotes the values of justice, equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Public Safety – a media landscape that strengthens public health and safety

Commenting on the publication of Coimisiún na Meán’s first Strategy Statement, Executive Chair Jeremy Godfrey said: ‘’The publication of our first Strategy Statement, and of our 2025 Work Programme is an important milestone for our young organisation. We are confident that this strategy will help us to create a media landscape that benefits all of society.’’

‘‘Our six outcomes are ambitious and reflect our commitment to the regulation, support and development of a media landscape that underpins fundamental rights and fosters an open, democratic and pluralistic society. As Ireland’s media landscape evolves, we feel a unique responsibility to ensure that we shape the changing media environment to better serve Irish audiences, to uphold fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, and to protect people, especially children, from harm.’’

‘’Since our establishment, we have developed and are now enforcing Ireland’s regulatory regime for online safety, our Online Safety Framework. We have also delivered critical funding support to the independent production and media sector through our Sound & Vision Scheme and new Journalism Schemes, and we have embarked on an extensive re-licensing programme for radio and television stations across Ireland.’’

‘’Guided by our Strategy Statement, and supported by our annual Work Programmes, we look forward to continuing to deliver a thriving, diverse, creative, safe and trusted media landscape for Ireland.’’

Among the priority projects outlined in Coimisiún na Meán’s 2025 Work Programme are the development of a pilot programme for children at imminent risk of harm from online content, the development of an Election Integrity Strategy across all media sources, the creation of educational materials relating to online hate, the preparation of a new Broadcasting Services Strategy and a revised Media Plurality Policy, and the continuation of the Sound & Vision and Journalism funding Schemes.

Strategy Statement 2025-2027
2025 Work Programme

Emirates named as the world’s first Autism Certified Airline

As part of Autism Awareness month, several milestones have been achieved on Emirates’ journey to make travel more accessible for all. One year after Emirates’ first successful ‘travel rehearsal’, the programme is now being rolled out across 17 cities – allowing children with autism to practice the journey through the airport in order to prepare for real flights. Emirates has also achieved its designation as the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, with more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff now trained to support customers with autism. For the month of April, Emirates highlighted autism awareness to millions of passengers globally, showcasing a selection of movies, podcasts and TV shows about neurodiversity on its inflight entertainment system, ice.

Adel al Redha, Deputy President and COO, Emirates, said:

“Emirates has been driving and facilitating good progress in accessible travel, and it is part of our operational strategy. We continue to work on this mission to make travel more inclusive. At the beginning of 2024, we were recognised as a Certified Autism Center™. We have upskilled our teams and I am pleased to say that we are now the world’s first autism-certified airline, with 30, 000 frontline staff and cabin crew trained to support our customers with autism. Now we are also rolling out our Travel Rehearsal programme in cities across the globe, to break barriers and make travel accessible for everyone. This is part of our social and professional responsibility.”

Emirates’ Travel Rehearsals activated across 17 cities

Globally, Emirates has started rolling out its travel rehearsal programme to 17 cities including Barcelona, Brisbane, Budapest, Cebu, Christchurch, Dubai, Durban, Luanda, Madrid, Manila, Mauritius, Manchester, Montreal, Nice, Oslo, Paris and Toronto, with more destinations committing to the programme every month.

The Travel Rehearsal concept first began in 2023, as a community collaboration between Emirates, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Airports, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Police and Dubai Customs, and several schools and centres for autism in Dubai, whose feedback was invaluable to the process.

The local schools and centres for autism including Safe Center for Autism, The New England Center for Children’s® (NECC®) Clinic, Rashid Center for People of Determination and Dubai Autism Centre were invited to Dubai International (DXB) to experience a simulation of an airport journey. The children and their teachers and carers got to practice checking in, dropping baggage, going through immigration and security, experiencing the hustle and bustle of Duty Free and familiarising themselves with the airport, boarding passes, and the many individuals encountered along the way.

Now on an international level, parents, therapists and teachers involved in the travel rehearsals have reported to Emirates that the experience has been invaluable in helping their child to have a safe and successful flight, by offering the comfort of preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff to support.

Emirates is introducing the travel rehearsal initiative in many cities on its network, with partnering airports, authorities, local centers, and foundations. Currently, this is not a bookable service and is available on an invitation basis in collaboration with accredited centers.

Emirates is the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™

Emirates has achieved its goal of becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, by completing the training of 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff to understand and support customers with autism. The new training on autism and sensory awareness equips Emirates’ frontline staff with the understanding and skills to address needs of autistic and sensory sensitive travellers, along with their families. It aims to educate Emirates’ teams on the spectrum of autism, misconceptions and challenges faced, the myriad ways to assist customers dependent on their individual needs, and potential stimulus and triggers that staff should be aware of.

The inaugural designation will be awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a leading organization in autism and neurodiversity training and certification. Emirates worked collaboratively with IBCCES for more than a year, to create the training after detailed reviews and a comprehensive audit. Using a data-driven approach, Emirates and IBCCES created a new blueprint for serving passengers with accessibility requirements, encompassing the entire journey – from ground services to in-flight services.

Emirates’ highlights Autism Awareness globally on ice

Throughout April, Emirates highlighted autism awareness to millions of global passengers on its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice. The content included movies like Temple Grandin, Ezra and The Flight of Bryan, as well as podcasts about Dubai’s autism-friendly mission, documentaries like Copa 71, BBC docuseries Inside Our Autistic Minds, and Carl the Collector – a cartoon about a racoon character with autism.

The Year of Community – Dubai entities work together for Accessible Travel

For many people with autism, air travel is a challenging experience or something to be avoided completely, due to the high level of sensory stimuli that can be involved. A survey on AutismTravel.com revealed that 78% of families are hesitant to travel or visit new locations, and that 94% of respondents would take more vacations if they had access to places where staff are autism-trained and certified. Through global training and international initiatives, Emirates’ mission to make travel more inclusive and accessible for all also supports Dubai’s ambition to become the most accessible destination in the world.

Continuing to drive the accessible travel agenda forward, Emirates works in close collaboration with all its partners, which includes Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) to Dubai Airports, General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Police and Dubai Customs, working together to achieve important goals in inclusive and accessible travel.

Emirates’ Accessible Travel Information

STEPS Engineers Week 2025: Inspiring Young Minds in Engineering

Engineers Ireland is excited to announce STEPS Engineers Week 2025, running from 1–7 March. This immersive week offers children a hands-on introduction to the world of engineering, from robotics and renewable energy to 3D printing and electric engines. Tailored for primary and secondary school students, the event offers practical resources, interactive activities and on-demand virtual shows to make engineering engaging and accessible.

Cities of the Future – Documentary and Competition:
Experience the future first-hand with an exclusive 45-minute documentary ‘Cities of the Future’. Available for classroom screening during Engineer’s Week, this film explores the sustainable developments needed for our cities over the coming decades, and challenges children to imagine stepping 50 years into the future.

In addition, the ‘Engineer the City of the Future’ Competition, held in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency, challenges students to reimagine Irish cities in 2050.  Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their creative ideas and win fantastic prizes. For more details visit Engineers Ireland’s Cities of the Future competition page.

Engineering Resources and Activities available
STEPS Engineers Week invites everyone to get involved from engineers, organisations, colleges, and libraries, to families, teachers, stem professionals and local authorities. A wide range of resources and activities are available for primary and secondary schools here. This combination of expert insights and hands on learning is designed to inspire children to open their eyes to how engineering is part of everyday life.

Engineers Ireland’s STEPS Team Leader, Roseanne O’Leary, said: “Engineers Week represents a remarkable opportunity for children to explore engineering and how it shapes the world around us. By opening children’s eyes to the exciting prospects of an engineering career and demonstrate how engineers are tackling our planet’s most pressing challenges, we are broadening their horizons and inspiring the next generation of problem-solvers.”

About STEPS and Engineers Week
The Engineers Ireland STEPS Programme is designed to open up the exciting possibilities that engineering offers to school children who want to make a real difference in the world. Engineers Week 2025 will take place from Saturday, 1 to Friday, 7 March 2025. Engineers Week has been created to introduce primary and secondary school children to the diverse world of engineering. http://www.engineersireland.ie

 

For more information, or to speak to Engineers Ireland about STEPS Engineers Week 2025, please contact Tara Corristine, Communications Executive, Engineers Ireland, tcorristine@engineersireland.ie.

PanPan Kids Smartwatch: A Safer, Smarter Alternative to a Smartphone for Young Children

Tunstall Emergency Response and Pandu have partnered to launch the PanPan Kids Smartwatch, a wearable device designed to keep children aged 7 – 12 years safe and parents connected without the need for a smartphone or internet access. Prioritising safety, privacy, and ease of use, the PanPan Kids Smartwatch provides peace of mind for parents while allowing children to explore with a sense of independence.
The PanPan Kids Smartwatch is built with safety at its core, featuring:
  • No Camera, No Recording Function – Designed for enhanced security and privacy compliance, making it suitable for schools and aligned with GDPR policies.
  • Full Parental Control – Parents have complete access through the app to customise settings and manage features.
  • Geo-Fencing for Extra Security – Parents can set safe zones and receive instant alerts if their child moves beyond them.
  • Two-Way Calling – Parents and children can communicate easily, ensuring peace of mind and instant connection when needed.
  • Seamless Communication –  High-quality, crystal-clear audio enhances two-way conversations for reliable interaction.
Equipped with a built-in SIM card, the PanPan Kids Smartwatch enables two-way calling, so kids can easily reach their parents in any situation. It also features a dedicated SOS button that, when pressed, sends an instant alert to the parent’s app, along with the child’s real-time location. These features, combined with GPS tracking, activity monitoring, and optional 24/7 support, make it a comprehensive safety solution for families.
Parents can feel confident knowing their child is safe and secure—whether at home, school, on a playdate, or a school trip. The built-in GPS tracker allows parents to check their child’s location in real time, while the two-way calling feature ensures kids can always reach their parents, and vice versa.
What Parents Are Saying
Louise Rawlins, a mother of two young girls, shares her experience: “As a parent, safety is my top priority. I want my daughters to have independence while avoiding risks associated with the internet and social media. The PanPan Kids Smartwatch gives me peace of mind while allowing them to explore safely.”
Krystle Foley, a mother of three boys, values the focus on childhood without unnecessary technology exposure: “Children should enjoy being kids for as long as possible. Smartphones bring distractions and risks that I’d rather avoid. The PanPan watch is the perfect solution—it keeps us safely connected without needing a phone.”
Key Benefits for Parents
  • Privacy-Focused – No camera or recording functions, ensuring safety at school and compliance with GDPR.
  • Affordable and Convenient – Provides essential connectivity without the distractions or risks of a smartphone.
  • SOS and Two-Way Calling – Instant connection between child and parent at any time.
  • Real-Time Location Tracking – GPS location accessible through the app.
  • Geo-Fencing Alerts – Parents can set safe zones and receive notifications when their child moves beyond them.
  • Activity Monitoring – Built-in pedometer promotes movement and healthy habits.
  • Durable & Kid-Friendly Design – Comfortable, customisable straps and available in fun colours.
  • Optional 24/7 Monitoring Support – Additional security for families (available at an extra cost per month).
“We’re thrilled to launch the PanPan Kids Smartwatch. In today’s digital world, it’s more important than ever to let kids be kids—protecting their safety while giving them space to grow,” said James Doyle, MD of Tunstall Emergency Response. “The PanPan offers parents a smart, simple way to keep children connected without a smartphone.”
Guoxian Yang, Founder & CEO of Pandu, added, “We’re pleased to partner with Tunstall to bring the PanPan Kids Smartwatch to market. By leveraging advanced GPS and secure communication technology, we provide parents with a reliable, easy-to-use safety solution in a connected world.”
The PanPan Kids Smartwatch, designed for children aged 7–12, is typically priced at €200, with a €20 per month monitoring and SIM fee and €7 per month for app access.
For a limited-time launch offer, the PanPan is available for €185 plus €12 per month for app and call services until 30th April 2025. Available now through the Tunstall Emergency Response website
or by calling 0818 999247.

Dell Technologies extends collaboration with Barnardos to support children and families in the community

Dell Technologies has today announced the extension of its current eight-year collaboration with children’s charity Barnardos for a further year. This extension will bring the relationship to almost a decade long commitment to supporting children and their families in communities across Ireland.

Since 2017, Dell Technologies team across its three campuses here in Dublin, Cork and Limerick have raised hundreds of thousands of euros and donated tens of thousands of volunteering hours to support Barnardo’s family support programs. This includes annual participation in Barnardos Giving Day, a key fundraising event calling on the public to donate and support charity’s mission of providing essential services to vulnerable children and families.

The combined funding and the hands-on involvement have helped Barnardos continue their work with 26,000 local children and families they support across 56 services nationwide, who are struggling with poor mental health, bereavement, financial strain and the impact of addiction.

Over the coming year, Barnardos and Dell will provide additional training, social media assistance and volunteering contribution to the children’s charity. Together they will join forces to develop digital learning opportunities so children can access Barnardos services across the country and develop essential digital skills.

Commenting on the charity extension Colman O’Flynn, Cork Site Lead and Vice President of Business Transformation at Dell Technologies Ireland said “We’re delighted to be extending our collaboration with Barnardos Ireland. For close to eight years, our team members have come together to give of their time and skills as well as raising much-needed funds for the inspiring work undertaken by Barnardos and its team in communities across Ireland. This has helped 26,000 children and families in need. By extending our relationship, we can enable the children’s charity to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and the families they serve over the coming two years.”

Welcoming the announcement Suzanne Connolly, Barnardos CEO said: “Since 2017, the Dell Technologies team has been vital in Barnardos mission to create positive change for vulnerable children and families across Ireland. Because childhood lasts a lifetime. The continuous support of volunteers from each Dell site in Dublin, Cork and Limerick each year, particularly for our annual Giving Day, have made such a significant impact to the work we do. We are thrilled that our relationship with Dell is being extended and look forward to what is ahead.”

Ofcom to Implement Big Changes to Social Media Security

Social media amongst children is a hot topic. Many believe its impact can be extremely damaging. We discuss the UK government’s response in the article below. 

Keeping your children safe online is not easy. You want them to access the digital realm, lest they be cut off from the world around them. Yet the internet and social media are still very harmful places. The UK government has decided that platforms must shoulder some of this responsibility in new reforms set out this week. 

Changes to rules governing social media

The onus for keeping children safe on social media will go to those who operate the platforms, according to a shakeup of United Kingdom laws. This has been announced by the watchdog for communications, Ofcom. As early as next year, a new online safety act will come into play, and there could be heavy fines for any companies that do not follow it. 

One goal will be to ensure safety is baked into platforms. This will attempt to catch harm before it occurs. The changes will also demand transparency from social media companies, such as Meta and TikTok. All of this will require an in-depth look at what harm social media can cause in the world, including the spreading of disinformation. Social media firms will be responsible for protecting children from content depicting violence, self-harm, and pornography. 

Safeguarding your family while on the internet 

Keeping your family, from your young children all the way to grandparents, safe online while in your home is not easy. It goes much further than social media and includes protecting your networks and devices. You can start by educating the people around you on the dangers of hackers and cybercrime, talking about how people can get your personal information and how it can be used against you. Obviously, the tone of this will have to be adjusted depending on the audience. 

There is a chance you may have already been compromised, particularly if your family has visited unsafe websites. These do not even need to be ones featuring adult themes and content. Many are disguised as standard retail and shopping sites. There are services online that can check website safety for you, installing a browser extension that prevents people from visiting those sites. They can even go back and see if you have previously been compromised. Actively protecting you and the family, they can spot phishing scams, malware, and links so you don’t have to keep a constant watch over your family’s browsing habits. Combine this with investment in a quality antivirus. This should provide you with firewalls and additional threat protection. 

Safeguarding children on social media 

Safeguarding your children while on social media is a little harder. There will come an age when your children want a smartphone, and you cannot watch over every piece of content they are sent by friends. However, there are also benefits to smartphone use, so you must get the balance correct. 

You can begin by limiting what is actually on the phone when you give it to children. Password protects the app store, and loads up only the necessary applications. This may include basic call and message functions, access to YouTube Kids, and a few other entertainment and education products. 

There are also features built into many phones parents can use to protect their children. The most useful of these are timers, which can shut down the screen and certain apps after a given amount of time. This also helps your child to manage their use of a phone and prevent doomscrolling. 

If you do decide that your children can have access to social media, then some platforms have accounts that parents can watch over. TikTok has a family pairing feature that allows parents direct access to messages and the ability to curtail content and screen time. Instagram also has teen accounts, which has enhanced safety for those under 18 years of age. 

Social media changes are already in motion

The changes were announced on the same day Instagram added a raft of new safety measures to combat sextortion. At the same time, the European executive of TikTok announced that safety is at the core of the platform. The company also discussed new safety features that are upcoming, including machine learning technology that will spot underage users trying to join the platform. 

These responses may be due to the fact that Ofcom is alleged to have been in touch with many of the social media companies mentioned. According to a spokesperson, they are in preparation and no significant changes are afoot. Ofcom will be able to fine them around 10% of their global revenue should they fail to comply or are found in breach. 

Social media is changing, as is the digital landscape around us. As it becomes more ingrained in our lives, it is inevitable the younger generation will want access to this. The social media companies must play their part, but the public must also do so as well. This includes using the tools provided and safeguarding our own digital networks to provide a safer world for all. 

Parenting in a Digital World: Vodafone Foundation in Ireland launches parents’ guide to help keep children safe online

The Vodafone Foundation in Ireland has announced the launch of a new guide for parents and guardians which aims to provide resources to ensure children are kept safe in the digital world.

The ’Parenting in a Digital World’ guide has been designed to empower parents and guardians in navigating the complexities of devices and digital safety. It is available for free, both in Vodafone stores nationwide and online at www.vodafone.ie.

The new resource provides practical advice and insights on key topics such as setting up parental controls, building digital resilience and addressing cyberbullying. Recognising the growing concerns around children’s online activities, the Vodafone Foundation has developed this guide to help parents make informed decisions and take proactive steps to protect their children online.

Key Features of the Guide Include:

  • Advice on building digital resilience to help children cope with negative online experiences.
  • Guidance on navigating cyberbullying: How to recognise the signs and what actions to take if a child is a victim.
  • Tools for safe connectivity: Options for basic phones with limited internet access for children.
  • Partnership resources: Information on additional support available through Vodafone’s partnerships with the ISPCC and Dublin City University Anti-Bullying Centre.
  • Step-by-Step instructions on how to use parental controls and the Vodafone Secure Net app to manage a child’s online experience.

Speaking about the new parents’ guide, Head of the Vodafone Foundation, Liz Roche said: “Connectivity brings many benefits. Yet, we know that the decision as to when a child is ready to access the digital world on their own devices can be a difficult one.

Our parents’ guide is designed to make it easier for parents and guardians to manage their child’s online activities while fostering a safe and positive digital environment. Whether it’s understanding the importance of digital resilience for their child or learning how to set up parental controls, this guide has everything parents need to feel confident about their child’s online safety.”

ISPCC Childline Chief Executive John Church said “ISPCC is delighted to support the Vodafone Foundation in Ireland as it launches this timely guide for parents to keep their children safe online.

The online landscape is ever-changing, and that’s a scary prospect for even the most tech-savvy of parents. The pressure on young people is ever present. This guide will be an extremely useful resource for parents wanting to equip their children with the necessary skills to navigate the online world safely.

At the ISPCC we are proud to partner with the Vodafone Foundation as we strive to support parents to ensure that children and young people have positive experiences online.”

The Tozi app – An additional online resource for children:

The Vodafone Foundation has also reminded parents and guardians that among the resources available to them is the Tozi App which helps children understand the impact their digital lives may be having on their mental wellbeing.

In partnership with Dublin City University’s Anti-Bullying Centre and the ISPCC, the Tozi App offers support for children and young people by educating them on how to be safe and well online, while offering instant support if they need it. The Tozi app is available for free download and usage from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

The Vodafone ‘Parenting in a Digital World’ guide is available to download here: V5128K09627_VF_OnlineSafety_A5_WEB.pdf (vodafone.ie)

For more information, visit www.vodafone.ie or drop by your nearest Vodafone store.