Coco’s Law ‘true power lies in education’ says mother Jackie

A NEW garda schools programme aimed at tackling online harassment was launched this week.

Coco’s Law is named after Clondalkin woman Nicole ‘Coco’ Fox (21), who died by suicide in 2018 after suffering years of relentless bullying online and in person.

Following the tragedy, Jackie Fox, Coco’s mother who is from Old Bawn in Tallaght campaigned tirelessly for a change in legislation to help other vulnerable victims.

Coco’s Law was officially launched by Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton TD, An Garda Síochána’s Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing & Community Engagement Catharina Gunne, and Jackie Fox, at Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School Drimnagh, Dublin 12.

The programme was developed in partnership with Webwise and is available to be delivered in secondary schools nationwide.

The lesson provides a clear breakdown of the legislation known as Coco’s Law, which names new specific offences regarding online activity – particularly focusing on sending threatening or offensive communications, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

It empowers students to recognise key offences and understand that they are legally accountable for their digital actions.

Speaking at the launch event, Minister Naughton said: “Student online wellbeing and safety remains a central priority for the Department. This new lesson, developed by Webwise in partnership with An Garda Síochána, reflects our ongoing commitment to equipping young people with the knowledge and understanding they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

“Importantly, the programme not only raises awareness of the legal consequences of inappropriate behaviour online, but also empowers students to make respectful, informed choices and to seek support when they need it.

“I also want to pay tribute to Coco, whose experience has had a profound and lasting impact on this work. Both she, and her family, have helped shape a stronger, more informed response, and continues to guide how we educate and protect young people in this area.”

An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Catherina Gunne stated: “Given that most young people now carry a smart device, this lesson isn’t just about explaining the law; it’s about empowering students to be independent and safe.

“We are moving beyond ‘internet safety’ as a concept and into the reality of legal responsibility. We want to protect students from exploitation and ensure they understand that every click and share has a real-life consequence.”

Detective Superintendent Sinéad Greene from the Garda National Protective Services Bureau said:

“The inclusion of this lesson in the Garda Schools programme is timely and will help to educate young people to understand the dangers of sending threatening or offensive communications, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

“At the Online Child Exploitation Unit, we see first-hand how exposure to graphic or child sexual abuse material (CSAM) can have profound and lasting impacts on young people’s mental health.

‘Empowering young people with knowledge is one of the strongest protective tools we have.

‘When they understand what illegal content looks like, why it is harmful, and how to respond, they are in a stronger position to keep themselves and others safe.”

Speaking at the launch, Ms. Fox said: “Nicole’s legacy is now written into the law of this land, but its true power lies in education. Seeing this lesson enter schools means that other families might be spared the heartbreak we endured. This is about teaching our children that their online actions have real-world weight.”

Between 2023 and up to February 28, 2026, gardai have initiated over 400 charges and summons for offences under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, 2020.

This figure does not include incidents involving juvenile offenders (those aged under 18).