TL;DR: A new campaign titled “It’s Not The End of the World” aims to educate young people about the dangers of online intimate image abuse. Launched by CyberSafeKids and the Irish Internet Hotline, the initiative highlights the alarming rise in such cases among youth, particularly following the enactment of Coco’s Law, which criminalizes non-consensual image sharing.
A bold new campaign, “It’s Not The End of the World,” has been launched to tackle the rising tide of online intimate image abuse, particularly among young people aged 13 to 17. Delivered in collaboration by CyberSafeKids and the Irish Internet Hotline, with support from Community Foundation Ireland, this initiative seeks to empower young individuals to recognize intimate image abuse and understand how to seek help. Recent data reveals a staggering 66% uptick in reports of this abuse in 2025, underscoring the vulnerability of young people in today’s digital landscape.
In a world where the line between private and public has increasingly blurred, the campaign comes as a timely intervention. The Irish Internet Hotline’s data indicates that while reports of intimate image abuse have surged, their proactive measures have achieved an impressive 96% removal rate for publicly shared intimate images. This statistic is a beacon of hope, but it also highlights a dark reality: intimate image abuse is alarmingly prevalent.
Coco’s Law, introduced in 2021, marked a significant step forward in combating this issue by making non-consensual sharing of intimate images a criminal offence. However, as Alex Cooney, CEO of CyberSafeKids, pointed out, the normalization of sharing such images among youth needs to be challenged. “It isn’t normal,” she emphasizes, urging young people to recognize what constitutes abuse and how they can access support without fear or shame.
Mick Moran, Chief Executive of the Irish Internet Hotline, drove home the psychological impact of such abuse, stating that the fear and humiliation inflicted by threats of image sharing can have profound effects, even if the images never see the light of day. This sentiment resonates deeply—imagine being eternally haunted by the possibility of someone violating your trust in such a public manner.
Young people often feel isolated and overwhelmed when faced with these threatening scenarios, making the campaign’s offerings of guidance and support essential. The initiative includes a downloadable guide brimming with advice and resources, alongside short videos that showcase challenging situations young people might face. Interestingly, these resources aim not only to educate but also to spur crucial conversations within homes, classrooms, and youth clubs, creating a culture of awareness.
Let’s face it, the internet can be a wild west of sorts, where the tools for connection are often misused. With a bit of humor, one might say that while social media can help you curate the most visually appealing life—or “the highlight reel” as they call it—it can also leave you vulnerable, like a rock star without a bouncer at an after-party. Navigating this treacherous terrain requires not just caution but a solid understanding of the stakes involved.
On a lighter note, did you know that in recent years, nearly 80% of youngsters have reported receiving unsolicited explicit images online? That statistic alone could make anyone reconsider the term “youthful innocence.” Society’s responsibility, then, is not just to engage in tough talks but to foster an environment where young people can thrive without the looming threat of exploitation.
For more detailed insights on this critical issue, you can read the original story on RTÉ.
