Why I Created Pixo

I'm Ricky Oliver, the founder of Pixo and, most importantly, a father of three daughters.

Like every parent, I want my children to enjoy technology, communicate with their friends and benefit from everything the digital world offers. But I also worry about the pressures and dangers they may face as they grow older.

The debate around restricting social media for young people has made many parents think more seriously about what comes next. Social media may change, but young people will still find ways to communicate through messaging apps, private groups and new platforms. Removing access to one service will not remove every risk.

As parents, it is easy to say, “Don't send private pictures,” “Don't speak to strangers,” or “Tell me if something happens.” The reality is that young people sometimes make mistakes, trust the wrong person or feel pressured into doing something they later regret.

What matters then is knowing they have somewhere safe to turn.

That is why my team and I created Pixo—a private and secure place where people of all ages can protect their personal photos, videos, documents and information.

We also created Pixo SOS™ for situations where a private image or video has been shared, or someone is threatening to share it. It guides the user through 12 simple questions, helps them understand their options and prepares the information needed for an appropriate report or takedown request.

Most importantly, it can help a frightened or embarrassed young person take the difficult first step of asking a parent or trusted adult for support.

As a father, I would want my daughters to know that if something ever happened, they could come to me without fear of being blamed or judged. I may not be able to prevent every mistake or danger they encounter, but I can make sure they never have to face one alone.

Pixo is not about frightening young people or monitoring everything they do. It is about education, preparation, privacy and trust. I want parents to download it with their children, explore Pixo SOS™ together and have the difficult conversations before they are urgently needed.

Our mission is simple: to protect people's privacy, make online-safety support easier to access and bridge the gap between a young person who needs help and the adult who wants to support them.

Technology is changing. The way young people communicate is changing. We need to be ready for that change—and make sure our children are ready too.