Cybersmile Words Are Permanent Campaign Thumbnail 2

Words Are Permanent

Partner: adam&eveDDB

A behavior change campaign highlighting the long-term damage that can be caused by bullying and abuse online.

Launched in 2025

More Videos

    5M+
    Impressions

    Impressions

    1M+
    Video Views

    Video Views

    25K+
    Likes

    Likes

    100K+
    Engagements

    Engagements

    “Our hope is that the bold nature of these images will inspire change - by amplifying how harmful such comments can be and letting victims of online abuse know where they can get some support.”

    Scott Freeman
    Scott FreemanCEO, The Cybersmile Foundation

    Overview

    We teamed up with creative agency adam&eveDDB to launch "Words Are Permanent," an online safety initiative which utilized AI to drive home the realities of cyberbullying and abuse online. The initiative was featured across a number of out-of-home locations, national print, online publishers, and social media platforms.

    The campaign took real-life abusive comments targeting young internet users and turned them into tattoos on the faces of children, generated using AI. The overarching message of the initiative was that comments on the internet and social media only take a moment to create but can last a lifetime for those being targeted.

    The realistic AI visuals were created by Untold Studios and featured a number of calls-to-action, reminding people that their words have the potential to last a lifetime. Internet users were encouraged to consider their words online and directed to Cybersmile support services.

    Impact Summary

    • Encouraged kindness and compassion
    • Highlighted the power that words carry online
    • Inspired meaningful conversation around cyberbullying
    • Encouraged people to consider their online interactions
    • Increased awareness of the real impact of online abuse
    • Raised awareness of our education and support services
    • Delivered to diverse audiences through print media and OOH

    Awards & Nominations

    Tags

    AnxietyArtificial IntelligenceBehavior ChangeBody ConfidenceBullyingBystander ExperiencesCommunity WellbeingCyberbullyingDepressionDigital CivilityDigital WellbeingGen AGen ZHarassmentIdentity BullyingKindnessMental HealthNetiquetteOnline AbuseOnline SafetyRacismSelf-ConfidenceSelf-EmpowermentSocial MediaTrollingYouth