The Cybersmile Foundation

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.[1]

The Cybersmile Foundation
Founded2010
TypeInternational Non-profit Organization
Registration no.1147576
FocusEmotional support, practical advice, education, research, social media partnership
Location
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Scott Freeman, Dan Raisbeck
Websitewww.cybersmile.org

History

The Cybersmile Foundation was the first dedicated cyberbullying charity in the UK.[2] 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.[3][4] On 19 June 2014 The Cybersmile Foundation officially launched in the U.S. opening their Palo Alto branch.[5] American girl group Fifth Harmony were announced as the official ambassadors on May 30, 2015.[6]

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.[7]

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.[8]

The report revealed that 55% had been cyberbullied while 35% admitted to having suffered up to five separate incidents of online abuse.[9]

Partnerships

Intel

Intel launched their 'Diversity in Technology' initiative in 2015, working with a variety of partners, including The Cybersmile Foundation.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12]

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.[13]

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[14]

Twitter

Cybersmile are official partners with Twitter in promoting digital citizenship and to better educate users about being safe online[15]". As part of the partnership, Cybersmile provide the Twitter-only help channel @AskCybersmile, which is listed as a Twitter Trusted Resource.[16]

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.[17]

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.[18]

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.[19] 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.

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[20]

Gaming Initiatives

In March 2015, Cybersmile announced their plans to tackle "gender inequality and digital abuse within the gaming industry[21]" as part of the Intel Diversity in Technology partnership. As part of this announcement, five long-term goals were established:

  1. 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.
  2. Provide guidance and advice for women and young girls experiencing problems, particularly with gaming platforms.
  3. Develop a gaming specific section on their website for guidance and information relating to the gaming and tech industry.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.[21]

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.[12]

Supporters

Ambassadors

Patrons

Vice patrons

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.[24]

Awards


Professional memberships

References
  1. Louise France (15 June 2013). "Cyberbullying and its teenage victims". The Times. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  2. "Anti-cyberbullying charity is all smiles after winning national Digital Heroes Award 2013". The Mirror. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  3. "Charity framework". UK Charity Commission. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  4. Johnson, Becky. "Charity Launches Online Troll-Hunter Service". News.sky.com. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  5. "Stop Cyberbullying Day 2014 – Cybersmile". www.cybersmile.org. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
  6. "Cybersmile announce Fifth Harmony as official Ambassadors – Cybersmile". www.cybersmile.org. Retrieved 2015-05-30.
  7. "Stop Cyberbullying Day – Cybersmile". www.cybersmile.org. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
  8. "Stop Cyberbullying Day poll reveals 55% of children suffer online bullying – Cybersmile". www.cybersmile.org. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
  9. "Stop Cyberbullying Day 2015 Annual Report" (PDF). The Cybersmile Foundation. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  10. "Intel Invests $300M to Advance Diversity in Tech and Gaming - IGN". Retrieved 2015-09-21.
  11. "Intel Global Diversity and Inclusion". Intel. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
  12. "Cybersmile launches new Gaming Support Centre in partnership with Intel – Cybersmile". www.cybersmile.org. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
  13. "The Top 10 Twitter Angels by CyberSmile". Sugarscape. 2014-05-01. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
  14. Lizzie Cox (May 2014). "Corporate Partnership Programme 2015" (PDF). The Cybersmile Foundation. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  15. "Our partnership with Cybersmile Foundation | Twitter Blogs". blog.twitter.com. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
  16. "Resources | About". about.twitter.com. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
  17. "Our funding to Cybersmile: an update | The Body Shop Foundation". thebodyshopfoundation.org. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
  18. "Wicked for Good are the newest Cybersmile supporters! – Cybersmile". www.cybersmile.org. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
  19. "Pixelberry's High School Story educates teens about cyberbullying with a special episode". VentureBeat. Retrieved 2015-09-21.
  20. Oliver Miao (19 February 2014). "Help us raise $100,000!". The Cybersmile Foundation. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  21. "Cybersmile Plans for Safety, Inclusion and Empowerment in Gaming – Cybersmile". www.cybersmile.org. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
  22. "Patrons". The Cybersmile Foundation. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  23. "Patrons". Cybersmile. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  24. Anna Roberts (30 December 2012). "Facing up to rising social media crime". The Argus. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  25. "Anti-cyberbullying charity is all smiles after winning national Digital Heroes Award 2013". The Mirror. 31 October 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  26. "2013 Charity Times Awards winners announced". Retrieved 3 March 2014.
  27. Sarah Booker Lewis (28 October 2012). "Standing ovation for children at Argus Achievement Awards". The Argus. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
  28. "Chime Graduates' CyberSmile charity efforts". Chime Communications PLC. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
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