GroSafe Real World Trial Participant Information Sheet
We're excited to share information about the GroSafe Real-World Trial with you!
When: July - September 2025
Location: Online
About GroSafe:
GroSafe is on a mission to make the online world safe and enjoyable, especially for teens like you. We're teaming up with experts, teachers, and cool minds to create something special that equips you with the skills to manage the digital world safely. Our main goal? To empower you to spot and handle online stuff that's not so great. We're doing it with games, gamified training, and interactive learning to make the online world positive and educational. And here's the coolest part: you're not just part of it. you're leading the way! Your ideas will shape GroSafe to be exactly what you need and love.
Why the Trial:
What will happen:
At the beginning of the trial, you will have to share some of your online usernames, for one or more of these four platforms:
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- Roblox
This trial is a randomized research trial. What that means is that half of the people participating will go into the 'Trial' group, which means they'll be asked to play our GroSafe Training Game. The other half, who will go into the 'Control' group will not. Which group you go into is determined randomly at the start of the trial, and we'll tell you at that time.
During the trial, some of our researchers will try to contact you online while you are using the platforms you shared earlier, regardless of which of the two groups you're in. Contact will only be made between the hours of 9am and 11.30pm. Our researchers will attempt to interact with you in the following ways:
- Initial message on social/gaming platform
- Connection/friend request
- Request to move to a private/encrypted channel
- Request to share personal information
GroSafe researchers will never ask to meet in real life. If someone you don't know asks to meet in real life, that's not us, and you should tell a trusted adult immediately.
What if I really want to play the game:
During the trial, only people in the Trial group will get to the play the GroSafe Training game. This is very important to us, because it lets us figure out how well the game works at helping you spot and deal with potential grooming.
Of course, after the trial is over, we'd be happy for teens in the Control group to play the game as well! If that's you, no need to do anything: We'll send you and your parent the game link after everything is over.
What will I have to do:
Before we start, you will have to meet us on a video call with your parent/guardian to go through some information. During the trial, you should use your social platforms as normal, and if you're in the Trial group, play the GroSafe Training game. We want to hear what you really think, so no need to hold back. Feel free to express yourself and enjoy the activities while you're at it!
Remuneration:
Everyone who takes part on the trial will receive a voucher for €50, regardless of whether you were in the Trial group or the Control group. These vouchers are One-4-All digital gift cards, and they're only valid in Ireland. We'll mail these to your parent's email address.
Everyone who takes part will also be entered into a draw for an iPad after they finish the trial!
Finally, you'll also get a certificate of participation from the GroSafe Team.
What about my privacy:
Your privacy and safety are our top priorities. Everything we chat about stays between us, unless otherwise required by law, and your personal info is locked up tight. We will give you a ID number so that your name won't be used on our notes. One important exception to this rule is if you inform us about any significant harm being done to you. In such cases, we would have to report the situation to relevant agencies, such as TUSLA or An Garda Síochána.
How do I join:
Participation in this trial is entirely voluntary. To join, you must first get approval from your parent or guardian. Once you have their permission, ask them to read the parent information sheet. Then, both of you will attend an online meeting with the GroSafe research team on Microsoft Teams, where you can ask any questions you may have. If both you and your parent are comfortable with the information provided during the session, your parent will need to complete a consent form, and you will need to complete an assent form.
How do I withdraw:
Just send an email to GroSafe@tudublin.ie to inform the team that you don't want to continue, and we will remove you from the trial immediately. You don't need permission from your parent/guardian to withdraw from the trial: If you don't want to continue, that's all we need to hear.
What do I need:
You'll need the following things:
- A social account on at least one of the four services we mentioned earlier: Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, or Roblox. This should be an account you use regularly.
- Your own device that you use to access these platforms.
- A desktop computer or laptop, with an internet connection, to play the GroSafe Training game on.
In addition to the above, you must be resident in Ireland.
What if I have more questions?
If you're curious or need more info, get your parent/ guardian to email the research team on GroSafe@tudublin.ie We're here to help!
When you and your parent/guardian are confident about your interest in participating, we can arrange the starting video call with the GroSafe team. Just send us an email at GroSafe@tudublin.ie