Google’s charity arm, Google.org, plans to contribute an additional $1 million (€920,000) to Barnardos, a children’s charity aimed at advocating for better internet safety among young users. This comes on the heels of an already generous €1 million grant handed over to support Barnardos’ Online Safety Programme in 2019.
So far, the programme has successfully conducted more than 3,000 safety workshops in 700 Irish schools over a span of five years, reaching a staggering 90,000 students. Furthermore, nationwide parent workshops numbering up to 2,000 have been funded on the topic of online safety.
Google.org’s funding will pave the way for expansion of the programme’s current scope to incorporate artificial intelligence, create a virtual programme for broader reach, and adjust the current online safety programme to cater to those aged between 10 and 15 years.
A scheme will also be developed to aid schools in the event of serious occurrences of online harassment or bullying.
Barnardos’ Chief Executive, Suzanne Connolly, spoke positively of the high engagement rates seen in the Online Safety Programme over the past five years, further emphasising the positive influence of Google.org’s support. This new grant, she asserted, will amplify both the range and content of the programme.
To develop the programme, Barnardos will collaborate with Webwise and Media Literacy Ireland, both organisations specialising in online safety.
Mindy Brooks, of Google, emphasised the importance of educating young people about conducting themselves safely online while confidently harnessing it’s potential.
Secondary schools will begin receiving the programme in September 2024, with a virtual version set to roll out in 2025.
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