Social media has brought both opportunities and dangers, especially in protecting children online. According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), their CyberTipline received over 36.2 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation in 2023, a 12% increase from the previous year. This alarming rise highlights the urgent need for advanced protective measures.
The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies and increased the time children spend online, which, in turn, heightened their exposure to online risks. Studies have shown that increased screen time is correlated with higher vulnerability to cyberbullying, online predators, and exposure to inappropriate content. A 2021 report by the UNICEF Office of Research found that digital literacy and online safety education are critical in helping children navigate the internet securely. As a result, parents and educators are prioritizing these areas to foster safer online environments.
I recently had an in-depth discussion with Graeme Page, an advocate for children's online safety and the visionary behind Skyll. Our conversation revealed significant reasons why educational initiatives like Skyll's AI-powered game are essential in protecting children from online predators and fostering a safer digital environment.
Most Online Dangers Point to a Deficiency in Digital Literacy
The reading on online safety is alarming. Numerous reports suggest that the digital literacy and online behavior of many children are far below the recommended safety standards. From 2019 to 2022, there was a significant increase in cyberbullying and online exploitation cases. It is estimated that 70% of children in the Western world are exposed to online risks due to insufficient digital literacy and safety education.
Skyll, co-founded by Graeme Page and Marvin Winkler, addresses this issue with the "Yourspace" program, which equips youth to recognize and avoid dangers like sextortion and human trafficking.
Developed by the Safe Surfin' Foundation with the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the National White Collar Crime Center, Yourspace, formerly Cyber S.W.A.T., aligns with Senate Bill 466, mandating instruction of the topic in West Virginia public schools.
The Yourspace program is delivered through Skyll's movie game technology, where students make interactive choices that change the course of the storyline. They can even write in their own choices, with AI generating the subsequent events. By witnessing the results of their choices, students learn the consequences and the best actions to take in various situations.
"Imagine learning about online safety by becoming the main character in a movie game," Graeme enthuses. "It's immersive, engaging, and most importantly, effective. Our goal is to make social media a safer space, one student at a time."
Skyll is at the forefront of educational innovation, utilizing AI-powered technology to deliver expert educational curricula through gaming and gamification.
Collaboration with Law Enforcement and Educators
Skyll's commitment to online safety is strengthened by strong partnerships with the Safe Surfin' Foundation, law enforcement, and legislators. Collaborating with the Southern Virginia Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, the National White Collar Crime Center, the National Sheriff's Association, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children ensures that Skyll's curriculum is comprehensive and informed by the latest insights and practices. The unanimous passage of West Virginia Senate Bill 466, which mandates social media safety education, marks a significant milestone in Skyll's mission.
Delivered through Skyll's movie game technology, the Yourspace program allows students to make interactive choices, learn the consequences, and understand the best actions to take in various situations, fostering a safer online environment through awareness and education.
Influencers Play a Key Role in Promoting Online Safety
Influencers have a significant impact on their audiences, especially younger viewers, who often look up to them as role models. 72% of Generation Z and Millennials follow influencers, and 88% of people trust recommendations from influencers as much as those from their personal network. This powerful connection makes influencers uniquely positioned to promote online safety and educate their followers about the dangers of the digital world.
A critical component of Skyll's strategy is the Deputy Coalition, a group of influential content creators dedicated to promoting online safety. This coalition leverages the reach and influence of social media stars to spread awareness and resources and educate their followers about the dangers of the digital world.
They promote Deputy Chat (a Skyll technology), an AI-powered texting service designed to provide empathetic support and emergency assistance, including immediate help for situations like sextortion. Deputy Chat connects users to National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) services, facilitates reporting, and aids in removing explicit materials. Deputy Chat serves as a crucial lifeline dedicated to saving lives.
"The Deputy Coalition is about peers protecting peers," Graeme explains.
By partnering with popular influencers, Skyll aims to make online safety a trending topic. This initiative has already garnered significant attention and support, highlighting the power of the community in combating online threats.
A Mission Born from Personal Tragedy
Graeme's dedication to online safety stems from a personal tragedy that deeply affected his life. He lost someone close to him to financial sextortion, an event that changed his life's direction, driving him to combat such cybercrimes with relentless determination.
Graeme's entrepreneurial journey began early. At just eleven years old, he launched Fallen Angel after working with brands for social media, growing up on it, and seeing its dangers. This influencer marketing firm quickly grew, working with major brands and generating over one billion impressions per month. However, the loss of his high school girlfriend at eighteen shifted his mission from marketing to a fierce commitment to protecting others, leading to the creation of Skyll.
"My experience with Fallen Angel showed me the duality of social media—its power to connect and its potential for harm," Graeme reflects.
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Graeme Page's journey is a testament to resilience and a commitment to change. As awareness of online dangers and the need for digital literacy continue to grow, the importance of initiatives like Skyll will only increase. This expansion will look different and progress at varying rates, influenced by culture, economic conditions, and educational availability. Yet, as the saying goes, "knowledge is power," and the global push to empower children with the tools to navigate the digital world safely is well underway, with Skyll leading the charge.
