The Cybersmile Foundation
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Founded | 2010 |
---|---|
Type | International Non-profit Organization |
Registration no. | 1147576 |
Focus | Emotional support, practical advice, education, research, social media partnership |
Location | |
Area served
|
Worldwide |
Key people
|
Scott Freeman, Dan Raisbeck |
Mission | The Cybersmile Foundation is committed to tackling all forms of digital abuse and bullying online, working to promote diversity and inclusion by building a safer, more positive digital community.[1] |
Website | www |
The Cybersmile Foundation is an international non-profit organisation providing support for victims of cyberbullying and online hate campaigns. The Cybersmile Foundation delivers advice, education and support to those affected and their families whilst promoting positive and productive use of the internet.[2]
Contents
History
The Cybersmile Foundation was the first dedicated cyberbullying charity in the UK.[3] The charity was founded by Scott Freeman and Daniel Raisbeck in 2010 in order to provide a central resource to tackle the issue of cyberbullying, and has since expanded to provide education and support worldwide. The Cybersmile Foundation became a registered charity in 2012.[4][5] On 19 June 2014 The Cybersmile Foundation officially launched in the U.S. opening their Palo Alto branch.[6] American girl group Fifth Harmony were announced as the official ambassadors on May 30, 2015.[7]
Stop Cyberbullying Day
The Cybersmile Foundation launched the first international Stop Cyberbullying Day on June 21, 2013 as a day of global positivity online. The day takes place annually on the third Friday in June.[8]
Research
To coincide with Stop Cyberbullying Day 2015, Cybersmile released original research carried out in partnership with Sugarscape, examining current teen attitudes towards online bullying and social media.[9]
The report revealed that 55% had been cyberbullied while 35% admitted to having suffered up to five separate incidents of online abuse.[10]
Partnerships
Intel
Intel launched their 'Diversity in Technology' initiative in 2015, working with a variety of partners, including The Cybersmile Foundation.[11] The company have pledged $300 million over the next several years for the campaign, which focuses on a variety of different strands; Cybersmile are featured as part of the plan to increase inclusivity in the gaming industry and provide support for female gamers.[12] On September 24, 2015 The Cybersmile Foundation launched their 'Gaming Support Centre' in partnership with Intel to "provide practical, emotional and legal support" to victims of abuse when gaming online.[13]
Sugarscape
In May 2014, The Cybersmile Foundation became media partners with online teen magazine Sugarscape, providing content for their young audience focused on online safety and promoting positivity on the internet.[14]
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We decided to partner with The Cybersmile Foundation not only because cyberbullying is a problem affecting many of our readers, but because Cybersmile have a unique ability to understand the teenagers and young adults of today. Through various initiatives and teaming up with relevant celebrities Cybersmile have gained credibility in the fickle world of social media, allowing them a position of influence over today’s youth.
— Lizzie Cox, Editor, Sugarscape, [15]
Cybersmile are official partners with Twitter in promoting digital citizenship and to better educate users about being safe online[16]". As part of the partnership, Cybersmile provide the Twitter-only help channel @AskCybersmile, which is listed as a Twitter Trusted Resource.[17]
The Body Shop Foundation
The Body Shop Foundation supported Cybersmile within their remit to help organisations in the Human Rights category. With their support and funding, Cybersmile have been able to create over 80 downloadable digital programs to educate people about cyberbulliying and online safety worldwide.[18]
Wicked
In June 2015, The Cybersmile Foundation were announced as partners in the Wicked for Good program, which fundraises for various causes. The partnership is said to be backed up by strong anti-bullying themes in the stage production and has been supported by the cast in the theatre.[19]
High School Story
The Cybersmile Foundation partnered with Pixelberry Studios as part of their game, High School Story. The game, in which players can create and run their own high school, featured collaborative storylines on the theme of cyberbullying and helped Cybersmile to reach 4 million young people.[20] Pixelberry Studios pledged to raise $100,000 for Cybersmile in 2014 by selling special in-game items and in the end raised over $350,000.
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For me, one of the worst things about being bullied was feeling like there was nobody I could turn to for help. Pixelberry is excited to be using High School Story to help teens learn how to stop cyberbullying. Based on the statistics from the Center of Disease Control, we're estimating that 80,000 of our players could attempt suicide this year. If our efforts can help just a fraction of these players, High School Story will be supporting hundreds, if not thousands of teens through challenging junctures in their lives.
— Oliver Miao, CEO Pixelberry Studios, [21]
Gaming Initiatives
In March 2015, Cybersmile announced their plans to tackle "gender inequality and digital abuse within the gaming industry[22]" as part of the Intel Diversity in Technology partnership. As part of this announcement, five long-term goals were established:
- Triple the number of women and young girls Cybersmile help to deal with digital abuse and cyberbullying with programs focused on providing support, education and legal advice.
- Provide guidance and advice for women and young girls experiencing problems, particularly with gaming platforms.
- Develop a gaming specific section on their website for guidance and information relating to the gaming and tech industry.
- Provide educational resources to give young girls and women the knowledge and confidence to process risks effectively and apply practical coping strategies to digital abuse and cyberbullying.
- Empowering women and young girls through direct engagement using strategic viral campaigning, digital media channels and concentrating on installing and re-installing digital confidence and self worth. User generated activities and campaigns with user based actions and participation.[22]
In September 2015, Cybersmile launched their Gaming Support Centre, featuring video game specific help and support resources as well as dedicated blog and news feeds from industry professionals.[13]
Supporters
Ambassadors
- Fifth Harmony
- Richard Armitage
- Stephanie Harvey
- Danielle Peazer
Patrons
Vice patrons
- Air Commodore M T Doel
- Sal Brinton
- Carol Theobald
- Helen Hyde
- Geoffrey Theobald
- Polly Toynbee
- Candy Morris
- Susan Pyper
- Tony Baldry
- Baroness Stedman-Scott
- Lord Ramsbotham
- Lord Taylor of Warwick
- Beaumont L Brandie
- Elish Angiolini
- Richard Bridgeman, 7th Earl of Bradford
- Robin Bridgeman, 3rd Viscount Bridgeman
- Douglas McKittrick
- Christopher Portman, 10th Viscount Portman[24]
CPS guidelines
In December 2012, the Crown Prosecution Service issued guidelines on how cases of cyberbullying will be assessed under the current legislation. The Cybersmile Foundation was consulted as part of the development of these guidelines.[25]
Awards
- TalkTalk Digital Heroes Awards 2013 – Winner[26]
- Charity Times UK Charity Awards 2013 – Best New Charity – Highly Commended[27]
- The Argus Achievement Awards 2012 – Charity of the Year[28]
- Chime Communications PLC Graduate Scheme 2012 – Winner[29]
Professional memberships
- Member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Bullying
- Member of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety
References
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