Zeeko welcomes The Government Action Plan on Online Safety
Dublin, Ireland 8th January 2016, Zeeko, headquartered at NovaUCD, welcomes the Government Action Plan on Online Safety as launched by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. The Action Plan is centred on five goals to ensure public safety online (i) online safety for all (ii) better supports for citizens (iii) stronger protections for people (iv) influencing national and EU policy (iv) building Government’s understanding of online safety issues. The implementation of the plan is driven by a whole government approach.
Commenting on the Action Plan, Joe Kenny ,founder of Zeeko commented: said, While our fundraising target was a nominal €5,000.00, that we have achieved our goal in three days, is indicative of the demand from parents and educators for information in this area. In 2016, we will be continuing our programme of in-school education seminars for parents as well as updating the Digital Trend Report which we also launched earlier this week. We would like to thank all of those who contributed to our crowdfunding campaign.”
Other highlights from the Action Plan include the development of website content for peer to peer workshops that encourage students to be self-reflective and autonomous in the learning process. This will give young people the critical thinking skills to be able to safely benefit from technologies that are not yet invented and from challenges that are not yet defined.
Also, the publication of an annual safer internet report to coincide with Safer Internet Day has been welcomed by Zeeko. This will build on the existing Irish research to give evidence-based insights that will inform future online safety and well-being initiatives.
Zeeko promotes internet safety to young people in Ireland and works in both primary and secondary schools countrywide. “In light of the digital issues facing young people today, the Action Plan is not far reaching enough to promote positive digital well-being. New technologies are creating different challenges for Irish society. The Action Plan recommends employing traditional media such as interactive resources, training sessions and web pages in facing these challenges. However, the solutions need to employ innovative technologies such as gaming technology, augmented technology (AR) and virtual technology (VR) to engage young people and to facilitate different teaching methods,” said Joe Kenny, CEO, Zeeko.
The Government Action Plan is a positive development to create awareness and give families across Ireland the tools to safely benefit from the Internet and technology. The challenges created by the Internet and technology create a significant challenge for every community in Ireland. The whole government approach through 6 government departments will drive a multi-dimensional solution which is necessary for this complicated societal challenge.
ENDS 12th July, 2018
For further information contact Joe Kenny, Founder of Zeeko, t: +353 87 901 9857, e: joe@zeeko.ie or
Michelle Doyle, University College Dublin, Communications Manager, t: +353 (1) 716 3712, m: +353 87 067 7561, e: michelle.doyle@ucd.ie
EDITORS NOTES
Zeeko, an Enterprise Ireland high-potential start-up (HPSU), is headquartered at NovaUCD, the Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs at University College Dublin. The company is founded by Joe Kenny in 2013. Zeeko works with parents, teachers and children to promote digital health and internet safety among primary and secondary school children. www.zeeko.ie
At NovaUCD, the hub for new ventures and entrepreneurs at University College Dublin, we nurture and support new high-tech and knowledge-intensive companies as part of UCD’s mission. At NovaUCD we provide purpose-built, state-of-the-art incubation facilities alongside a comprehensive business support programme for client companies such as Zeeko. NovaUCD has been funded through a unique public-private partnership that includes AIB Bank, Arthur Cox, Deloitte, Enterprise Ireland, Ericsson, Goodbody Stockbrokers, UCD and Xilinx. www.ucd.ie/novaucd
