Combatting suicides invisible accomplice; a quest for change | Alice Hendy | TEDxNHS

TL;DR

Cyber security expert shares personal tragedy of brother's suicide due to harmful internet content and creates intervention tool.

Transcript

[Applause] the Internet it's incredible isn't it from that quick tip to fix a leaky tap to that delicious recipe to impress your guests but it can also be a place where bad people thrive hiding behind fake profiles scamming us of our hard-earned cash or feeding us harmful information on the internet my name is Alice I'm a cyber security expert I've... Read More

Key Insights

• 🙈 Harmful online content can have devastating real-life consequences, as seen in Alice's brother's tragic suicide.
• 🤳 Creating tools like Ripple can provide crucial intervention and support for individuals at risk of self-harm.
• ❓ Accountability for online platforms and individuals is essential to combat the spread of harmful content on the internet.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Alice's personal experience drive her to focus on cyber security and suicide prevention?

Alice's brother's suicide led her to investigate harmful online content, motivating her to create the intervention tool Ripple and advocate for internet safety.

Q: What is the purpose of Ripple, the crisis intervention tool created by Alice?

Ripple intervenes in harmful online searches related to suicide, offering breathing exercises and directing users to mental health support services, potentially saving lives.

Q: Why does Alice stress the importance of accountability for online platforms and individuals?

Alice believes in holding platforms and individuals responsible for harmful online content to create a safer internet environment and protect vulnerable users from dangerous material.

Q: How has Alice's Ripple technology impacted individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts?

Ripple has interrupted over 20,000 harmful online searches, with 26 users directly crediting the tool for saving their lives, highlighting its crucial role in crisis intervention.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Alice, a cyber security expert, recounts her brother's suicide due to harmful online content.

• She creates a crisis intervention tool, Ripple, to prevent harmful searches related to suicide.

• Alice emphasizes the importance of holding platforms and individuals accountable for online content.