King family score hat trick in ‘What’s Your Story’ video competition

The King family from Ballinagore have completed a hat trick in the Trend Micro ‘What’s Your Story’ video competition.

Shane King (17) worked with his family once again – sister Emma (15), brother Conor (12) and parents, Aisling and Mark – and they won the Critics’ Choice Award of €1,000 for their entry Tomorrow’s News Today: Dreaming of a New World!

In the short film, Shane used a variety of visual effects to showcase how each family member imagines adopting AI in years to come.

The win was announced to coincide with Safer Internet Day 2024 recently.

The Kings responded to the challenge of the ‘What’s Your Story?’ competition, which asks a thought-provoking question regarding technology and internet use, and invites children and teens across the country to submit their responses in the form of two-minute videos. This year’s topic was a timely one, : How might new technology (or AI) help you in the future?

Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity firm, promotes the Internet Safety for Kids and Families (ISKF) programme, which provides support to parents and teachers as they endeavour to keep children safe and savvy online.

The task of selecting the winners was in the capable hands of the judging panel, which included representatives from Webwise, Science Foundation Ireland, Media Literacy Ireland, CyberSafeKids, Press Pass and Oide.

They chose winning entries were eventually in four categories: Overall Winner, Critics’ Choice Award, Group Category 8-12 Years, and School Category 13+.

Avril Ronan, Trend Micro Global Programme manager for Internet Safety for Kids and Families, said: “We need look no further than online to acknowledge the risks and dangers posed by technologies such as AI, but it also has tremendous benefits for the world when used responsibly. Through their use of media and film, the young people’s voices were heard, and they provoked thought. Well done to all winners!”

Shane King said: “I always hope for the best when entering this competition, but I’ve been genuinely surprised every time we win! My family and I are really thrilled, especially seeing as the video was such a team effort this year and everyone got stuck in.

“I’m really interested in the subject of technology and AI, which is why I love entering ‘What’s Your Story?’ every year. I definitely think there are a lot of dangers online to be aware of, but I’m also excited by what the future holds in terms of new technology and even more excited to be a part of it in some way. I’m already looking forward to getting started on next year’s submission. Let’s hope it’ll be four in a row!”

Trend Micro Internet Safety for Kids and Families’ volunteers and partners are active in more than 27 countries, and have hosted and supported 26,500, events including more than 40,000 schools.

Trend Micro webinars, which are available on demand, include topics such as Raising Gamers: Teaching Kids to Play it Safe, Social Media and Our Kids’ Lens of the World, Kids and Autism: Supporting Safe and Healthy Technology Use, and How to Handle Bullying When We’re Always Online.

Additionally, their Cyber Academy for kids, a free online series, covers topics from Camera Safety to Misinformation and Healthy Habits.

Watch the ‘What’s Your Story?’ 2024 winning videos here.

To register to attend an upcoming free parent talks visit https://www.trendmicro.com/internet-safety/events.ie and to access the kids’ Cyber Academy and much more, visit https://www.trendmicro.com/internet-safety.

For more information and tips on who to stay safe online, follow the Trend Micro ISKF team online on Twitter @TrendISKF_IE or Facebook/TrendMicroEurope or Instagram @Trendmicroiskfeurope.