Declan Henesy
About Declan Henesy
Declan Henesy serves as the Online Safety Policy Manager at Ofcom, where he has worked since 2021. He has extensive experience in online safety and child protection, having held various roles at NSPCC and Ofcom, and has contributed to projects aimed at providing online safety advice for vulnerable groups.
Current Role as Online Safety Policy Manager
Declan Henesy currently serves as the Online Safety Policy Manager at Ofcom, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he is responsible for developing and implementing policies that enhance online safety. His work focuses on creating guidelines and resources that address the needs of various user groups, particularly vulnerable populations.
Previous Experience at Ofcom
Prior to his current role, Declan worked at Ofcom as an Online Safety Policy Analyst from 2020 to 2021. In this capacity, he analyzed online safety issues and contributed to policy development aimed at protecting users in the digital environment. His tenure at Ofcom laid the groundwork for his current responsibilities.
Experience at NSPCC
Declan has extensive experience at NSPCC, where he held multiple roles. He served as Projects Officer for Child Safety Online (Net Aware) from 2019 to 2020, and as Project Manager for Child Safety Online in 2020. His work included managing the development of Net Aware, a website providing online safety advice for parents, in collaboration with O2. He also worked as a Digital Content Producer and Digital Content Officer, focusing on creating resources that promote child safety online.
Educational Background
Declan studied at the University of Exeter, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in History from 2011 to 2014. He also attended Belper School and Sixth Form Centre from 2004 to 2011, completing his secondary education. His academic background provides a foundation for his work in policy and online safety.
Research and Online Safety Initiatives
In his current role, Declan researches and creates online safety advice tailored for vulnerable groups, including LGBT+, SEND, and faith and minority ethnic communities. He assesses risks associated with various social media platforms, apps, and online games to produce practical advice for parents, ensuring that guidance is relevant and accessible.