Dr. Rachel O’Connell

Dr Rachel O’Connell is a leading expert on online child safety. Her PhD examined paedophile activity online and the implications for investigative strategies. Rachel set up the first UK Internet safety centre in 2000; she was Chief Security office for Bebo a social networking platform 2006-2010. Rachel is the founder of TrustElevate, author of a technical standard published by the British Standards Institution that describes how to verify the age band a person belongs in a privacy-preserving, secure manner. 

Digital Identity Expert & Advocate

Authored age-checking standard PAS 1269 Age checking code of practice (ISO 27566). VPC Trust Alliance Standard

Industry Experience

Chief Safety Officer, Bebo, social networking platform, chaired cross-industry groups that developed, globally adopted, sets of good practice guidelines.

Trusted Advisor

EU Commission, US Federal Trade Commission, UK and Ireland Govt. & tech giants on child safety. 

Thought Leadership

PhD analysing paedophile activity online and implications for investigative strategies. Research findings shaped online safety legislation.Set up and coordinated the activities of internet safety centre across 19 European countries.

25 Years of Experience

Trusted leader with deep understanding of online safety challenges and solutions from multiple perspectives. 

Book Rachel To Speak

Engage your audience with a pressing issue and a unique solution.

As a speaker or guest on your platform, Rachel can provide valuable insights on:

  • The evolving landscape of online child protection.

  • Innovative solutions for age verification and content moderation.

  • Strategies for fostering a safe and responsible online environment.