Cybersmile 2023: A Year In Review

As we look back on 2023, we would like to say a BIG thank you to everyone who has supported our activities this past year. We would especially like to recognize the important work of our volunteers, corporate partners, media partners, advisory panel members, ambassadors, supporting organizations, governments, influencers and creators as well as our social community of well over 2 million people who help promote our work to the wider world.

2024 is set to be a transformative year for us. We are already planning international campaigns, new educational tools and a host of surprises set to be announced in the coming months.

We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support that we receive.

We published our Body Beautiful 2023 Report

We announced the launch of Body Beautiful 2023 – a national report exploring the impact of social media on the body image of its users.

The Body Beautiful 2023 study asked 2000 participants a series of questions relating to body image and the impact that social media was having on their relationship with their bodies. Important areas such as self-image, mental health, eating habits were all explored as part of the research project.

You can learn more and see the full report here.

We launched a new Education Resource focusing on body image

We honored World Mental Health by launching a new interactive learning experience focusing on body image, mental health and self-expression.

The new resource helps users learn about the impact that social media use can have on their mental as well as physical wellbeing in relation to the way they feel about their bodies. The educational resource provides users with a wide number of questions that focused on key areas covering body confidence, insecurities, distorted body image, social comparisons, self-criticism, self-validation, mindfulness and self-care.

You can learn more about the resource here.

We activated our Research-led Body Beautiful Campaign

To further mark World Mental Health Day 2023, we announced the launch of “Body Beautiful” – a research-led awareness campaign.

The multi-channel campaign brought together a number of leading content creators and resident Cybersmile experts to drive home key messages related to self-care and digital wellbeing.

You can learn more about the campaign here.

We Launched our Be Fearless Experience with Urban Decay

Cybersmile and Urban Decay unveiled the “Be Fearless Experience” – an immersive, playful space in Soho, London.

Full of content creation moments, the event provided 300+ guests including changemakers, content creators, press and the general public with awareness and a deep understanding of The Cybersmile Foundation and Urban Decayʼs shared mission to promote freedom of expression, informed allyship and inclusion.

You can learn more about the initiative here.

We teamed up with Anastasia Pagonis and Urban Decay

We teamed up with three-time world swimming champion Anastasia Pagonis to help stop cyberbullying and make the internet a kinder place.

The collaboration featured a powerful call-to-action video series starring Anastasia as the latest instalment of our long-standing partnership with Urban Decay. Pagonis, 19, who lost her sight at age 14 as the result of an autoimmune disease, shares her personal experience with bullying and outlines four simple steps anyone can take to combat “trolls” in the campaign video. Subsequent films provided more in-depth details about how to stop hate and spread love on social media.

You can learn more about the campaign here.

We Announced Disabled Rights & Representation Advocate Jillian Mercado As Official Ambassador

We announced Latinx fashion model, actress and disabled rights advocate Jillian Mercado as our newest official ambassador.

In her new role, Jillian joined a host of celebrities and public figures including the likes of Hollywood actress Garcelle Beauvais, singer-songwriter Normani and TikTok star Holly H in supporting Cybersmileʼs mission for a truly inclusive internet where everybody feels free to communicate, learn and express themselves online without the fear of ridicule and abuse.

You can learn more about our newest ambassador here.

We appointed Diversity and Inclusion Practitioner Jamie Dapaah to our Advisory Panel

We announced prominent diversity and inclusion specialist Jamie Dapaah as a newly appointed member of our international advisory panel.

Jamie develops strategies and policies that promote equal opportunities – fostering welcoming and inclusive environments. As an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at Premiership football club Fulham FC as well as being a coordinator for events with Adidas, Jamie has played a major role in addressing some of the biggest social issues affecting the sporting community today.

You can learn more about our latest advisory panel member here.

We Appointed Community Wellbeing and Education Expert Ivan Davies onto our Advisory Panel

Australia-based community wellbeing and education expert Ivan Davies was appointed to our panel of international experts.

Ivan is a community wellbeing expert who specializes in building inclusive, diverse and cohesive environments that respond compassionately to people’s needs and strengths. His in-depth knowledge of the neurobiology and psychology that supports educational frameworks has enabled him to develop and implement innovative programs that create and nurture a powerful and cathartic sense of unity and shared responsibility with the communities he works with.

You can learn more about our latest advisory panel member here.

We Published our Comparison Culture 2023 Report

We published Comparison Culture 2023 – an original study conducted to learn more about the culture of comparisons among social media users and the profound impact that it is having on Gen Z.

The Comparison Culture 2023 study asked 1000 participants aged 16-24 a series of questions relating to social media comparisons and the impact that they have on their wellbeing. Important areas such as mental health, body image, eating habits, relationships, finances, social media and others were explored as part of the research project.

You can learn more and download the full report here.

Stop Cyberbullying Day 2023 Explored Highs and Lows of Life Online

Our annual campaign launched with a host of activities shining a light on the realities of online life – both good and bad.

Stop Cyberbullying Day 2023 activities ran for 24 hours with live events, initiatives and campaigns taking place around the world on and offline. Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn are just some of the platforms where special activities were undertaken by us, our partners and stakeholders.

You can learn more about this year’s Stop Cyberbullying Day event here.

We teamed up with Sky Broadband and Guild Esports to tackle abuse of Women Gamers

We teamed up with Sky Broadband and Guild Esports to launch #NoRoomForAbuse: A campaign to raise awareness of the abuse that women gamers experience while delivering meaningful education around the issue.

As part of the campaign, participants were invited to a controlled immersive gaming experience at the Sky Guild Gaming Centre (SGGC) where the challenges and realities of gaming as a woman were demonstrated in a live setting.

You can learn more about the campaign here.

We joined forces with ITV to tackle trolling through a behavior change campaign

We launched a behavior change campaign titled “Would you say it?” which aimed to reduce incidents of trolling and raised awareness of the impact that our words can have.

The campaign aimed to target people who make hurtful comments online but pass them off as ʻbanter.ʼ This group of ʻcasual criticsʼ are responsible for a majority of trolling-type behavior and are unaware of the impact that their words or comments can have. A series of three advertisements showed unsuspecting social media users coming face-to-face with the real people at the receiving end of their hurtful comments. No longer able to hide behind the screen, the powerful adverts invited the viewer to think twice about what they post through the end line – “If you wouldnʼt say it, donʼt send it.”

You can learn more about the campaign here.

We teamed up with EE Hope United to Address Homophobic abuse

We teamed up with EE and the Hope United squad to launchGayVAR, an initiative that tackled the issue of online homophobia within football while raising vital funds for Cybersmile.

Fronted by former England international Joe Cole and comedian Tom Allen, GayVAR aimed to identify online homophobic hate, demonstrating its wide-ranging negative impact, while refuting claims that it is merely ʻbanterʼ.

You can learn more about the campaign here.