About Us
At Safer Lives Online, our mission is to cultivate a digital landscape where respect, inclusivity, and understanding thrive, and where the harmful impact of online hate is minimized. We are committed to fostering a positive online environment that values diversity, promotes responsible digital citizenship, and safeguards the well-being of individuals and communities.
Combating online hate and abuse is an ongoing challenge that requires a collaborative effort from individuals, communities, platforms, and policymakers across Ireland and in collaboration with our global stakeholders . By fostering a culture of respect, inclusivity, and responsibility, we can work towards creating a safer and more positive online environment.
Safer Lives Online was founded in 2023 by Bernadette Johnston. Bernadette has a career spanning 2 decades in communications and digital medias which began with an undergraduate HDip in Journalism and Media in 2004. She worked for a decade in RTE, Ireland's public service broadcaster across television, radio and online before progressing to strategic communications management in global organisations.
Bernadette returned to education in 2019 to pursue an academic path in psychology at both degree and Masters level. Her research includes examining online conspiracy theories and disinformation, the role of online hate in modern politics and the psychology and risk factors of online extremism and radicalisation.
Safer Lives Online is dedicated to addressing online hate, misinformation and spotlighting harmful, extremist online ideologies through simple language, advocacy, education and practical actions.
