Online Safety, Jamaican Style!

Back in the dark old days of 2020, as the Covid pandemic took hold, we were approached by the inimitable Emma Sharp Dalton-Brown. A writer and trained chef, Emma was born and raised in Jamaica, and at the time she got in touch was talking with Cornerstone about developing online safety content for schools. Through her friendship with our CEO, Alex Cooney, Emma decided to undertake a series of bespoke consultation sessions to find out more about our education programme: what it was based on, how it is created and delivered, and the kind of key messaging our research tells us that is essential for children and young people living growing up and living in a digital age. Emma then headed to create her own set of materials for her own local context, and after a final meeting, began to roll out her Cybersafe Yuhself in educational settings around Jamaica in 2021. Watch Emma being interviewed on TV about the early days of her initiative in 2021.

Emma has continued to deliver vital online safety messaging to the children in schools in Jamaica and just this week was interviewed at length on Live CVM Sunrise about her programme, which is now titled CyberBright.

Emma’s adaptability and determination was always so apparent from the outset, and I’m sure you’ll agree watching her interview, in which such a brilliant initiative is getting the time and  attention it deserves. It is also a timely reminder that no matter where you are in the world, online safety education and digital literacy training is no less essential for children and young people. We are proud to have been involved in the beginnings of Emma’s journey, and wish her every success as she continues to develop her programme in Jamaica! If you want to contact Emma about CyberBright, or read more about her thoughts and approach to the world, you can also access her Serve You Write blog at this link.