Chatbot Co-creation Study Information Sheet

For Parents

About GroSafe:

GroSafe is an ongoing project focused on improving online safety for children and teens. Developed with input from experts, educators, and young people, it aims to equip teens with the knowledge and skills to identify and respond to online threats, especially grooming and harmful behaviour. Through interactive learning and educational games, GroSafe makes safety education engaging and effective. A key part of the project is involving teens directly in the design process to ensure the tools meet their needs and interests.

Date: TBD

Location: TBD

Purpose of the Workshop:

The Chatbot Co-Creation Workshop is where key development happens. We aim to make the GroSafe chatbot a useful tool to help children navigate the online world safely and confidently. Their input will help shape an engaging and effective learning experience.

What to Expect:

At the workshop, your child will interact with our self-developed GroSafe Chatbot and provide valuable feedback. Their input preferences, opinions, and suggestions will play a crucial role in shaping and improving the chatbot.

Before the Trial

  • You will be asked to complete and return a consent form for your child to take part.
  • Your child will need access to a personal device (e.g. laptop or tablet) to run the chatbot platform.
  • Your child will be enrolled into a group session, organised by the GroSafe team.
  • We will ensure that all participants receive clear instructions on how to use the chatbot, provided in the form of printed guides or flyers.

During the Trial

  • Phase 1: Scenario-Based Interaction
    Your child will be given a short scenario card describing an online grooming situation (e.g., someone they met on a gaming platform asking for private photos). They will then describe the situation to the chatbot from a first-person perspective and ask for guidance on what services or organisations could help. After this interaction, your child will provide us feedback on the chatbot using rating scales.
  • Phase 2: Free Interaction Session 
    Your child will then have the chance to explore the chatbot more freely, using a guide that lists its main features. This allows us to observe how the chatbot responds to unscripted questions or real-world issues. At the end of the session, your child will complete a short feedback form about their experience.


Their Role:

We encourage children to share their honest opinions; there are no right or wrong answers. Their feedback is important, and they are welcome to express themselves freely while engaging with the activities.

What about privacy:
The privacy and safety of the children are our top priorities. All discussions will be confidential, unless otherwise required by law, and personal information will be handled securely. We will assign a ID number to each participant for further anonymity in our notes. One important exception to the privacy rule is if your child informs us about any significant harm being done to them. In such cases, we would have to report the situation to relevant agencies, such as TUSLA or An Garda Síochána.

How do I let my children join: TBD

Consent and Participation:

Taking part in the workshop is completely voluntary. Your child has the right to choose not to participate, and they can withdraw from the activity at any time without any consequence. We kindly ask for your permission for your child to take part in this experience. Consent will be collected through a form. We also welcome children with additional needs—please feel free to let us know if any specific support or adjustments are required.

Questions and Contact

For any inquiries or additional information, please feel free to contact the lead researcher, Dr Christina Thorpe, at christina.thorpe@tudublin.ie We are here to assist.