Garda lesson on Coco's Law to be given in secondary schools nationwide

Eva Osborne

An Garda Síochána has launched a new Garda Schools Programme lesson dedicated to Coco's Law, which will now be delivered in secondary schools nationwide.

Coco's Law came about as a result of advocacy from Jackie Fox, whose daughter, Nicole ‘Coco’ Fox, died by suicide in 2018 following relentless online harassment.

Since 2023, over 1,860 harmful communication incidents have been recorded by An Garda Síochana, and over 400 charges and summons have been initiated for offences under Coco’s Law.

The new lesson aims to provide a clear breakdown of Coco’s Law to secondary schools students. The law names new specific offences regarding online activity - particularly focusing on sending threatening or offensive communications, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.

The new lesson on Coco’s Law was officially launched on Friday morning by Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton TD, An Garda Síochána’s Catharina Gunne, and Jackie Fox at Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School Drimnagh, Dublin 12.

Speaking at the launch event, Minister for Education Hildegarde 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.”

Jackie Fox, the mother of Nicole ‘Coco’ 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."