Building a safer digital future for every child
"Building trust into technology is one of the most important ways we can create a safer digital future for children"
Nicola Flannery, Partner in Digital Trust and Privacy, Deloitte Ireland.
The internet can open up a world of opportunity; learning, sociability, creativity and discovery. But for children it also brings unprecedented risks that previous generations never had to navigate. Cyber bullying, harmful content and influence of AI have created a complex landscape that demands urgent attention.
As our children’s lives become increasingly digital, keeping them safe online has become one of the defining challenges of our time. The stakes are high and co-ordinated action is critical.
At Deloitte our teams across cyber, privacy, digital risk, trust and AI, work with global organisations every day to build safer digital environments. Their work spans everything from protecting personal data and strengthening cyber resilience, embedding responsible technology practices from the ground up, proactively building trust into design ensuring digital services prioritise safety and wellbeing from the outset and ensuring technology serves people safely and responsibly. Our goal is clear: technology must be a force for good, grounded in responsibility and accountability.
“Children deserve the same standards of online safety that we expect them to have in the physical world,” explains Nicola Flannery, Partner in Deloitte (Digital Trust & Privacy). “Technology has the power to transform lives for the better, but that progress must be accompanied by responsibility. Creating a safer digital future requires collaboration between businesses, policy makers, educators and families, all working towards the same ambition.”
That belief in collective action is reflected in Deloitte’s work with CyberSafeKids, Ireland’s leading online safety charity, working with children, parents, and communities to shape policy, change behaviours, and build a safer digital world. Through research, education and advocacy, CyberSafeKids shines a light on the realities of children’s online experiences.
Creating a safer digital world requires all of us to play a role.
Alex Cooney, CEO, CyberSafeKids.
“As technology continues to evolve so too must our commitment to ensuring the next generation can explore, learn and thrive in digital spaces that are safe and trusted with their wellbeing in mind.”
By supporting initiatives that promote awareness, education and evidence-based policymaking, Deloitte is helping contribute to a broader conversation about how society can better protect children online. For Nicola, this work carries both professional and personal significance: “Like so many parents, I think a lot about the digital world my own children are growing up in and the opportunities and risks that come with that. That’s what makes this work so important. Every day our teams help organisations strengthen that security and trust and even if we can play a small part in creating a safer online experience it’s enough. Ultimately, we all want the same thing – for kids to enjoy the benefits of tech safely and confidently.”
Digital trust and safety are frontline issues for society and for business,” explains Adrienne Daly, Head of Social Impact at Deloitte Ireland. “We hope that by collaborating with CyberSafeKids to equip them with the right technology and support, the more they can meet rising demands and make an impact that matters. As a firm that helps organisations harness technology and data to grow, we also have a responsibility to ensure that this progress does not come at the expense of the most vulnerable but shapes a better future for individuals, communities and society.”
Of course, building a safer digital future isn't the responsibility of any single organisation or sector, it requires sustained collaboration, evidence-based solutions, and an unwavering commitment to putting children's wellbeing at the centre of technological innovation. At Deloitte, we're committed to being part of that solution—today and for generations to come.
